triumph | Thoughts About God

A Singing Heart

Thoughts_About_God — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 07:06:11 +0000

“And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp and Saul would feel better, and the evil spirit would go away” I Samuel 16:23

King Saul had disobeyed God and the spirit of the Lord had left him. Instead, the Lord had sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear. As a result, some of Saul’s aides sent for David, who was not only a talented harp player but was handsome, brave and strong and had good, solid judgment. What is more, the Lord was with him.

Every believer experiences warfare between the flesh and the Spirit. As an act of the will, we decide whether we are going to allow the flesh or the Spirit to control our lives. One of the best ways to drive an evil spirit away is to listen to music of praise, worship, and thanksgiving to God. The language of heaven is praise. Listen to music that causes your heart to sing praises to God. Also, saturate your mind with the Word of God. The psalms especially exalt and honor God and express the praise of the psalmist.

I like to begin the day praising God on my knees. During the course of the day, I listen to praise music as well as portions of Scripture that are appropriate and sermons that are helpful.

Are you discouraged, depressed, frustrated? Have problems in your life caused you to feel that God has left you? If so, may I encourage you to begin to praise the Lord. Download music that honours our Lord, that causes your heart to sing and make melody to the Lord, and play it over and over again.

Bible Reading: Psalm 92:1-5

Today’s Action Point:

Today I will make a special point of praising the Lord not only through the reading of psalms but also by listening to music of praise. I will remember that praise is one of the expressions of a life that is lived in the supernatural power of God.

By Dr. Bill Bright
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Songs of Praise

A Song of Love

A New Song

He Gives Us a New Song to Sing

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The Beginning of Joy

Devotionals — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 07:02:04 +0000

In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and I will give you rest.”

You’ve been there. You’re turned your back on the noise and sought his voice. You’ve stepped away from the masses and followed the Master as he led you up the winding path to the summit. His summit. Clean air. Clear view. Crisp breeze. The roar of the marketplace is down there, and the perspective of the peak is up here. Gently he invited you to sit on the rock and look out with him at the ancient peaks that will never erode.

Just remember, he says, you’ll go nowhere tomorrow that I haven’t already been. Truth will still triumph. Death will still die. The victory is still yours. And delight is one decision away — seize it! Joy begins by breathing deep up there before you go crazy down here!

By Max Lucado
Used by permission

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

From: The Applause of Heaven

FURTHER READING

Fullness of Joy

What God Already Gave – JOY

Count it All Joy

Feature Photo credit: Michael Knapek https://www.flickr.com/photos/50390668@N04
Some Rights Reserved https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

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The Power of Thanksgiving

Thoughts_About_God — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 07:03:25 +0000

“I am the Light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life.” John 8:12

When we are followers of Jesus darkness should not characterize our lives. Oh, it will come to try to darken the doorway of our hearts but we can choose our response.

In one of the daily readings in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young she explains what happened when Eve turned her attention away from all the blessings she had, to focus on what she didn’t have. “That negative focus darkened her mind and she succumbed to temptation.”

She left thankfulness behind! Thankfulness is so much more than “having an attitude of gratitude”! It is a protection from darkness. It is a discipline. It’s actually a weapon in our spiritual warfare arsenal.

When you sense the shadow of darkness at the door of your heart by discouragement or dissatisfaction (two of the biggest things that try to rob us of the Light of Jesus within us) stop and send thanksgiving to the door.

Jesus says that when we follow Him we will not walk in darkness.

Where are the shadows lurking that want to darken the door of your heart and mind and draw you away from the Light? Send Jesus to the door and rise up with thanksgiving in your heart. It’s a discipline. It’s a sacrifice. It’s a weapon. Use it today!

Lord God, I thank You that darkness need not cast it’s shadow over my heart and mind today. Thank you that You are the Light of my life. Thank you that You lead me and guide me and strengthen me when I fix my eyes on all the wonder of who You are. Grant me the insight and the wisdom to lift my voice in thanksgiving today for You are my God and I am Your child. Whenever darkness seeks to encroach upon me may it be my call to lift my heart to You in praise. In Jesus’ strong name I pray, amen.

by Gail Rodgers
used by permission

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Enthusiasm

Thoughts_About_God — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 07:03:07 +0000

“Alive, alert, awake, enthusiastic! Alive, alert, awake, enthusiastic!”

We sounded the words to the rhythmic clapping of our hands. Faster, faster, faster. Alive, alert, awake, enthusiastic! This morning drill formed part of our early morning leaders meeting at Winners Camp, a residential camp for teenagers on the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said,

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” .

As we went off to our daily tasks of shaping the lives and hearts of a troupe of teenagers’ some more privileged than others it wasn’t difficult to be enthusiastic about the day. I remember those seven days with such fondness. And I still remember many of the faces.

I learned a few years ago that the word “enthusiasm” comes from the Greek word “entheos”ένθεος which means the God within.

When we can be enthusiastic about something, perhaps it is also an indicator that we are doing what we were meant to; that we are about the things that were set out for us on this earth to do. I find God in the places where I am most enthusiastic.

As another day dawns, am I alert, awake and enthusiastic about the possibilities that lie ahead? And if not, why not?

Dear God, today I invite you into every activity I put my hand and heart to. Thank you for filling me with enthusiasm as I go about the work you set out for me to do. Amen.

By Idelette McVicker
used by permission

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The Woodshed

Thoughts_About_God — Fri, 02 May 2025 07:03:35 +0000

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 (ESV)

When I cycle into work, I pass by a woodshed where pallets of sawn wood of various lengths and thickness are stacked and kept dry. Sometimes when I pass by, and the wind is in the right direction, the lovely fragrance of pine wafts over me.

I grew up with pine trees in our garden. I can still remember the difficulty of removing the pine-resin after I had gleefully climbed the firs, and it had stuck to my hands. It was a time of growing. I was a bit of a handful. I still am, but God loves me and meets me where I am.

This all-pervading smell of pine prompted these questions: When we wake up and greet the day, do we smile, or grimace? How do we perceive ourselves? Do we allow the fragrance of Jesus to permeate deep into our lives to bring His grace, to wash our sins away, or do we focus on our shortcomings? Do we rest in and enjoy God’s company, or have we become nodding acquaintances who pass Jesus by in the morning, or evening, like workday commuters we greet Jesus: “Hello-Goodbye, catch you later”.

How deep does our faith go? Jesus wants all of us, all the hopes, foibles, sins and secrets so that He can redeem us, encourage us and grow us. Through us He will be the fragrance of Life to the living and a challenge to those seeking Life.

So are we ready to be vessels capable of carrying the fragrance of Jesus to others, cleansed by the blood of Jesus? Have we allowed God’s love to penetrate past the surface, so the aroma of Jesus remains? Will it linger with others after we have moved on: or have we become commuters conformed into the worldâ’s mould?

PRAYER: LORD, we come to You in humility and hope that You will restore us. Not because we are something special but because we know You are the Son of God. We ask for Your consecration so that we may be fitting vessels to carry Your Holy Presence with us as we go.
Holy Spirit may Your fragrance splash over into the places you take us to today, in the Name of Jesus, amen.

by Rod Marshall
used by permission

https://www.roderickmarshall.blogspot.com/

FURTHER READING

The Fragrance

Becoming a Fragrance of Christ to God

Fragrance of Christ

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News Travels Fast

Thoughts_About_God — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 08:01:20 +0000

“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” Psalm 126:1-2

The blessings of God are not to be kept secret. Without headlines, billboards or radio talk shows, when followers of Christ experience joy in sorrow, peace during conflict or contentment in want, a watching world should be able to say, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Along with that observation often comes the question, “Who is this Lord who has done great things?” Then comes the opportunity to carefully, lovingly and in the language of the hearer share the good news about the One who extends the blessings.

Without arrogance, superiority or an easily misunderstood “praise the Lord anyway” attitude, but in the simplicity of friend-to-friend verbal exchange, sharing the story of God’s faithfulness in the midst of trial can paint a beautiful picture of the God who never leaves nor forsakes His children.

Father, thank you for always being faithful. Help me be transparent and vulnerable in the midst of difficulties so you and your blessings shine through.

by Marilyn Ehle
used by permission

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Laughter

Devotionals — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 08:03:13 +0000

I love God’s sense of humor.

The number of times it is a beautiful day outside and out I go for a walk, but within 10 minutes of leaving home it is pouring with rain and I don’t have an umbrella. Other times I am sitting under a tree and a gumnut drops right on my head. It could have dropped anywhere around me, but no, it lands square on my head. Whenever these sorts of things happen to me I always smile to myself and imagine God is laughing along with me.

To laugh is so good for us.

It changes our mood and allows us to see the world through new eyes. We also need to laugh at ourselves as we tend to take ourselves too seriously at times. We should allow the laughter to bubble up from our depths and so infect others with this incredible ‘medicine’. I always thank God that we have been given this gift of laughter.

I also think the Creator must have laughed a lot when I came into being as I have done, and will do, so many silly things throughout my life. Now I am not advocating that we go around making fun of every situation and laughing at inappropriate times. There are so many times when we are overwhelmed with what each day offers or perhaps the sadness in the world weighs heavily on our shoulders and we find ourselves bereft of even a smile. It is at those times that we need the strength, the compassion and the incredible unconditional love that only the Lord can give us to help us through, but there are also times if we can smile or laugh the situation will be so much clearer to see.

I have always loved this verse from Genesis after Sarah had born a son, Isaac.

Genesis 21:5-6 (NIV)
“Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”

Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of laughter. Show us times when we can make someone else smile and so make them feel special, just as you make us feel special. Help us to laugh at ourselves and that in so doing we may infect others with this release of stress and pain. Thank you, also, for your infinite patience with us. Amen

By Terry Stead
Used by Permission

Whatever

Devotionals — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 08:01:44 +0000

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

She passed the coffee order to him with a cheery, “Have a good day!” His tone of annoyance was evident in his reply, “Whatever!”

I was next in line. The girl grimaced as I stepped forward and smiled. We both had taken note of the stagnant answer. I wondered if the young man was counting the days until Friday. Some days can have that effect when life seems to settle into a pattern with little or no expectation of adventure.

Sipping my coffee I read those words from Colossians and thought of the short encounter I had just witnessed:

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

The “whatever!” answer to the coffee girl gets turned on its head by this verse. God Himself asks us to say and do “whatever” as if we are representing Him; as if we are doing or saying it in His name and with a heart of gratitude!

The challenge is intriguing. It’s practical and could be very powerful. Could it actually put a sense of adventure into our days? Could you envision doing your routine, unexciting tasks of this week as a representative of the Almighty God? Could you do them with a grateful heart even when the doing does not particularly inspire you? What if your words were spoken and then you added “and I am saying this in the name of Jesus”. Would it change what you were about to say? Would it impact how you would act?

O Lord, please give me Your wisdom as I do the “whatever” today. Would You help thanksgiving to rise up within me? Thank You that I do not need to be tossed about by the dramatic nor the mundane things going on around me. Help me to do what‘s in front of me, and speak to those around me with the awareness that I am representing You. Change my focus as I fill my mind with Your wisdom. Let peace and joy spill over in this week’s chapter of my story and may others be touched by You, through me, in the “whatever” of my week. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Thought: Make a choice. Today choose to use the mundane, stagnant “whatevers” as a launch pad to change the way you do and say what you do and say. And then give thanks for those mundane tasks and encounters. You just never know where this change of attitude could take you, especially when you invite Jesus to empower those sayings and doings with His strength. There is adventure waiting as you write the chapter in your story this week through a conscious awareness of the “whatever”.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Faith Through Trials

Thoughts_About_God — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 09:01:55 +0000

“… for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith, of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire, may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
1 Peter 1:6b-7

Untested faith may be real faith, but it is sure to be immature faith. It is likely to remain immature as long as it never faces difficulties.

When all things seem against it, faith often prospers. Storms are faith’s illuminators. When a calm reigns on the sea, spreading a ship’s sails is futile because the ship will never leave its harbor. However, when the howling winds rush forth causing the water to crash intensely around the ship, even though the vessel may rock and its deck may be flooded by the waves, it is only then that it will progress towards its destination.

No stars gleam as brightly as those which glisten in the polar sky. No water tastes so sweet as that which springs amid the desert sand. And no faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs through adversity. Tested faith brings experience. You would never have believed your own weakness had you not needed to pass through trials. And you would never have known God’s strength had His strength not been needed to carry you through. Faith is precious, and since they may build faith they are precious too.

This shouldn’t, however, discourage anyone who is young in faith. You’ll face enough trials without even looking for them! These faith building tests will be measured out to you in due time. Meanwhile, if you currently lack experience, thank God for what grace you’ve received and praise Him for the degree of holy confidence you’ve attained so far, while honestly asking Him to bring you even more. Continue to walk in faith, and, through success and adversity, you will have more and more of the blessing of God until your faith is powerful enough to move mountains!

Question: What trials have you faced lately, and how could they be working to mature your faith?

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

Down but Not Out

Thoughts_About_God — Wed, 25 May 2022 08:03:23 +0000

**“Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” Proverb 3: 5 – 6**

Pastor Ike witnesses a miracle every Sunday. It happens when he stands in his pulpit to preach. He spends almost every other minute of his life in a wheel chair.

You see Ike has broken his neck three times. Once in Vietnam, another in an automobile accident. The third time occurred when an iron beam crushed him. The doctors said he’d never walk again.

But during his recovery, he prayed,

“Lord, I’m yours, for whatever I might still be good for. But please let me stand in the pulpit if I am to preach.”

God granted that prayer. And Pastor Ike praises God for getting his attention.

Dear friend, God wants your attention too! Read your Bible. Praise and thank Him for working in your life. Expect your miracle!

By Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

God is Sovereign

Thoughts_About_God — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 08:01:51 +0000

“From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done” Isaiah 43:13 (NLT).

During the years of my husband’s mental illness, I found great comfort in the knowledge that God was in control working out a much greater plan than I could see.

Visiting my husband in a mental hospital always left me emotionally depleted. Before the drive home, I’d put my head on the steering wheel and pray, “Lord Jesus, hold me. Infuse me with Your strength and energy. Give me alertness as I drive home.” Then slowly, I would work my way through heavy traffic, across the Fraser River, and into the Fraser Valley. Just east of the river, beside the freeway was a sign that always cheered me. On a blue background in large white letters were the words: JESUS IS LORD.

If Jesus is Lord, then He is the One in control of my life! That meant that my peculiar life package was not filled with random acts of cruelty but with carefully chosen challenges. I was not at the mercy of inept doctors or some people’s callous remarks or even my own mistakes and failures. I was at the mercy of a loving God who cared for me deeply and who would work all things, even this, together for good (Romans 8:28).

“For the children of God, everything comes directly from their Father’s hand, no matter who or what may have been the agents,” Hannah Withall Smith writes. “There are no second causes for them. All are destined to work for their good.” (1)

Then life doesn’t make sense, we can know that it’s all known to God. No matter what our circumstances, we can know that God is always in control and He is bigger than our circumstances. Even when we can’t see His hand at work, we can trust in His good character and that He is working out a good plan. He changes victims of circumstance into victors in Christ.

“I know that you can do all things,” Job said, “no plan of yours can be thwarted” ( Job 42:2)

As I contemplated these wonderful truths, my spirits lifted and filled my heart with hope. Whatever happened, I would be okay. My future was in loving, capable hands.

I cannot Lord Thy purpose see, yet all is well since ruled by Thee.
(1) Hannah Withall Smith, The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life, (page 146).

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

https://www.helenlescheid.com/

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

Thoughts on Worship

Thoughts_About_God — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 08:03:44 +0000

“Worship is one gift that he who has nothing can give to Him who owns everything.”

Someone wisely said -”Maturing in our relationship with Christ is dispensing with the wrong thinking we have about God.” This is true and one area the Holy Spirit changes our thinking is our misconceptions about worshiping God.

We were discussing this in our care group one week. After reading Scripture verses about worship, we realized that often our views of worship are not necessarily God’s views.

For example, is worship something we just do in church? What about the verse in Colossians that tells us to do everything as unto the Lord? This means changing dirty diapers and carrying out garbage, running a business and cleaning a house. It is also having our quiet time and singing praise songs in church. Those are all acts of worship if we do them for Him.

Let’s take a look at a few Bible verses you may not have read lately:

We Were Created for God’s Pleasure (not our own pleasure).

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou has created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:11).

Our First Purpose is to Worship God.

“Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1).

Worship is my Response to God’s Love. Worship is Giving Back to God.

“Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30).

God wants us to love Him, thoughtfully, passionately and practically. Worship is focusing our attention on God – not ourselves. Worship is expressing our affection for God. Worship is using our abilities for God.

Reflect on these thoughts as you go about your day. Ask God to help you make this day a day of worship.

Father, we have so much to learn about how to worship You. We love You so much and want You to cleanse our minds from all the false conceptions and enable us to adore and worship You. Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

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triumph | Thoughts About God

A Singing Heart

“And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp and Saul would feel better, and the evil spirit would go away” I Samuel 16:23

The Beginning of Joy

The Power of Thanksgiving

“I am the Light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life.” John 8:12

Enthusiasm

The Woodshed

News Travels Fast

Laughter

I love God’s sense of humor.

To laugh is so good for us.

Further Reading

Whatever

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

Further Reading

Faith Through Trials

Further Reading

Down but Not Out

**“Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” Proverb 3: 5 – 6**

Further Reading

God is Sovereign

“From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done” Isaiah 43:13 (NLT).

FURTHER READING

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Thoughts on Worship