“Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!” Psalm 66:20

If we honestly look back on the sort of prayers we often pray, we will be filled with wonder that God has ever answered them. There may be some who think their prayers worthy of acceptance, like the Pharisee did. But the true Christian, in a more enlightened retrospect, weeps over their prayers, and if they could retrace their steps would desire to pray more truly, more earnestly. (Luke 18:9-14)

Think about how cold your prayers often are. When praying alone in your room (Matthew 6:6) you should wrestle as Jacob did. (Genesis 32:22-32) But instead, your petitions have been faint and few. They have been far removed from that humble, believing, persevering faith, which cries, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Genesis 32:26)

Yet, how wonderful is it that God has nonetheless heard these cold prayers, and not only heard, but answered them!

Reflect also how infrequent your prayers are. Unless you’re in trouble, that is. That’s when people hasten to pray! When deliverance has come, where has been your constant prayer of thanks? Yet, even when you cease to pray diligently, God does not cease to bless. When you have neglected God in prayer, God has not deserted you. His bright glorious light continues to shine.

Oh Yet, how wonderful is it that God has nonetheless heard these cold prayers, and not only heard, but answered them! What a God He is to hear the prayers of those who come to Him when they have pressing wants, but neglect Him when they have received a mercy. He even hears those who approach Him when they are forced to come, but who almost forget to address Him when mercies are plentiful and sorrows are few.

Let His gracious kindness in hearing such prayers touch our hearts, so that we may “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (Ephesians 6:18)

Questions: In what areas have you been “praying halfheartedly” lately? In what areas can you see that God has been at work despite your lack of prayer?

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon,
Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer,  2010.
used by permission

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The post God Hears Halfhearted Prayer appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“I want to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering” Philippians 3:10

How are you doing today?

Is everything going great, or are you struggling with a broken relationship? Or perhaps you have an incurable disease – maybe something worse.

Some parts of our life’s journey are painful. Recently, the Lord gave me an insight into suffering that I would like to share with you. It was very helpful to me.

God is faithful – and will walk with us each step of the journey.

I had an experience that was very painful. I found that even though I had long forgiven the people involved, painful memories kept coming back. I asked the Lord about this,

“How can I stop those memories from coming back?”

He reminded me of the verse in Philippians,

“I want to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering.”

He told me to thank Him for the horrid experience because through this experience, I had the privilege of “the fellowship of Christ’s suffering.”

I was getting to know Him in a deeper way – in a way I wouldn’t have if I had not gone through this.

We often pray for the power of His resurrection, but do we ever pray for the fellowship of His suffering? Jesus our Master said we could expect trouble if we follow Him. We shouldn’t be surprised!

Father, we want to know You. Thank You for reminding me about the “fellowship of His suffering.” Thank You for the painful times in life. Thank You for walking with us each step of the way. Amen

by Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

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

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More thoughts from Katherine

The Exceeding Greatness of His Power

“Thine is the Power”

Transforming Power

The post Broken Relationships appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27

My first encounter with tether-ball was at camp. You could tell that scores of children enjoyed playing there from the donut pattern of dirt around the pole.

If you’ve played tether-ball you know its physics. A rope is tied to the top of a ten-foot pole and seven or eight feet down hangs a ball. The goal of the game is to hit the ball with your fist or palm so it winds up all the rope and the ball hits the post. Your opponent tries to stop you from doing so and hopes to send the ball in the opposite direction.

And all the while the ball is tethered.  Tied. Constrained. Going in tight circles. Fast.

A professor at MIT, Sheryl Turkle, uses the idea of tethering to picture our relationship with technology. She wrote: “On my cell, online, on the web, on instant messaging—these phrases suggest a new place for the situation of a tethered self.” She goes on to suggest that the relationships we believe really matter are determined by how accessible people are through media rather than face-to-face conversation. For example, we’ve all seen people in a park ignore each other while texting with heads down.

Are you so tethered that you can’t connect with people nearby? Do media distract you from meaningful friendships with people and God? Are you so tethered that you can’t live without being on the grid?

Dear God, help me be less digitally connected so I may commune with family and friends. Untether me so I can better love and care for people closest to me. Amen.

By Dr. Bill Strom
used by permission

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The post The Tethered Self appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

Never underestimate the power of prayer!

Five high school students began to sense their responsibility to God.  They wanted to help fulfill the Great Commission on their campus. Each made a list of three friends whom they wanted to claim for Christ.

The first week they met daily to pray that these friends would sense their need for Jesus. The second week they prayed to be instruments of God. The third week they prayed for opportunities to speak to their friends about Christ. That same week 15 students for whom they had prayed invited Jesus into their lives through prayer!

Dear friend, the more frequently you share your thoughts and desires with Christ, the closer you come to Him.

Prayer is powerful and pleases God.  That’s why He says, “Keep on praying.”  And I say, “Amen!”

By Vonette Bright
used by permission

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The post Amazing Prayer appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”  Romans 8:6

The peace of God can be directly linked with our obedience to God.

For years I had asked God to use me in a specific area of my life, but when He finally opened the door, I didn’t walk through. Instead of being obedient to what He was asking of me, I chose not to, and as a result, I lived with a sense of restlessness for a period of time. Stress and anxiety can often be self-induced due to our own choices that we make apart from God’s will in our lives. Lesson learned.

In John 4, Jesus told the Samaritan woman, who was drawing up water from the well, that He had living water for her by which she would never thirst again. What He was saying was that what He had to offer was far superior to what she currently needed. What He had to offer was something no one else could. What He desired to give her was authentic, eternal, and would never leave her wanting for more.

The things of this world leave us void, giving us fleeting emotions only to deceive us and keep us from the very nature of God. However, He longs to give us Himself ? leaving us feeling fulfilled and truly content if we hear His voice and follow Him.

When we give our life to Jesus and walk in God’s ways, we will have the peace of God no matter our circumstances. Apart from God and doing what He asks of us, we will never experience the fullness of what He has to offer us.

Heavenly Father, thank you that you are always with me and have given me Your Holy Spirit so I may know you and live according to Your Word. Amen.

By Brigitte Straub
Used by Permission

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The Peace of God by Violet Tse

The Peace of God by Phil Ware

God’s Peace by Alec Niemi

The post A Direct Link appeared first on Thoughts About God.

For over 5 years, I corresponded regularly with an inmate, Stephen D, in a maximum security penitentiary in Indiana.  Stephen was released April 13th.

The past years have been an education for me.  Stephen writes in a tight, neat script and uses all the margins on both sides of foolscap.  His letters run 8-12 pages.  He has provided me with the inside view of prison life, and an inside glimpse into one prisoner’s heart, like nothing I could have got short of doing prison time myself.

(Stephen has told me that any part of his story that would help others I’m free to share).

Mostly, his letters have been for me a graduate level course on the reality and power of God’s grace.

Stephen is in the company of sex offenders, murderers, gangsters, drug peddlers, career criminals.  His own crime is grievous.  Yet over and over I have been moved to tears as he describes how Jesus is transforming him, and the men around him, from being “the worst of sinners” to being “examples of God’s mercy and unlimited patience”

“I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge(1 Corinthians 1:4-5).

A sample from his last letter (again, with his full permission) as he describes a worship service among prisoners:

The Lord is truly working miracles!  As I look around, the magnitude of what Jesus is doing is nothing short of revealing who He is “all for our good”.  The signs of his mercy surround us.  His costly grace is being evidenced through the hearts of many who, with a life surrendered to His will, have abandoned the short-lived trappings of this world.  The sounds of rejoicing rain down from the redeemed of the Lord.  What a mighty God we have chosen to serve!

Almost makes you want to go to prison!

Why am I telling you this?

The prison chaplain shared with the pastors of the city.  One thing he said is that prisoners’ who turn their life over to Jesus in prison, and make significant progress there, often never find a church after their release where they feel welcome.

He also warned about some of the pitfalls of churches who are naïve, who entrust too much too soon to men and women who are just beginning to sort out life this side of freedom.

He’s not recommending such naivety.  But many churches choose the opposite approach: open suspicion, even hostility.  Ex-prisoners sniff that out quickly, get the message, and stay away.

It got me thinking: if Stephen came to our church, would he feel welcome? 

I think the answer is yes.  All the same, it’s worth pushing the question a little further by making it, for each of us, personal: would I welcome him?

May God’s grace abound in all our lives.

By Mark Buchanan
Used by Permission

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• Extending Grace to Others
• Harsh Judgments Can Kill One’s Spirit

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“I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders.  I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2

We are given amazing privileges when we trust in Jesus. Recalling these promises is a good way to maintain a thankful heart, even when facing challenges in other areas. Consider four such blessings:

1.    Christ’s gift of salvation. No matter what trial we’re facing, it is microscopic next to the enormity of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. The cross was a steep price to pay, but the Savior willingly took our place in order to offer us forgiveness and eternal life.

2.    Assurance of God’s love. The Lord cares for us unconditionally–that is His very character (1 John 4:16). Unfortunately, the storms of life can cause us to question this, but Romans 8:31–39 unequivocally tells us that nothing can separate us from God’s love.

3.    Answered prayer. We have the awesome privilege of talking to the Father about anything burdening us–and He never grows tired of listening to His children. Our omnipotent, omniscient God is not only able to help us in any situation; He also knows the best possible way to do so.

4.    A personalized plan. The Lord has a will, plan, and purpose for our lives that He will accomplish if we obey Him. No one is exempt from adversity, but we can trust God to bring good from everything He permits to come our way.

Hardships, temptations, and tests will touch us all, but the Lord allows difficulty for a reason–even when we don’t understand why (Romans 8:28). Therefore, submit yourself to the Father, thank Him for His wisdom, and be confident that He will accomplish His purposes for you.

By Dr. Charles Stanley
Used by Permission

https://www.intouch.org/

If  you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, you can learn how to start one at this link:
https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws

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The post Remembering God’s Blessings appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Fear of failure was once a stronghold in my life. It would come to affect my decision making, how I took criticism, and how I would deal with circumstances. I admit, I still deal with fear, just not with the stronghold of it anymore. Our God is bigger than our problems and mightier than our circumstances. With our faith in Him, fear is no longer a stronghold.

The story of David and Goliath is a story that almost everyone has heard. The reason it is so often told, is because it shows us how to overcome our fears. David had fears in his life, but he understood how his faith in God would always lead to a victory over those fears.

David was aware of his own abilities and strengths, knowing they came from God. Others however, did not see those abilities. They only saw his small size, what they thought they knew of him, and their own fears. David didn’t listen to their fears, take stock in their opinions, or allow himself to be affected by their harsh words. Instead he relied on God, refusing to let anyone else decide his fate.

Every day we will encounter giants in our lives. On some of those days the giants will act and look like Goliath. It is imperative to remember that it is not within “us” that we find the strength to face these giants. Only God can provide the peace, courage, and boldness that will lead us to victory.

A Call to Action:

What fears are you dealing with right now, and do they have a stronghold on your life? Read the full story of David and Goliath (1Samuel 17:1-51), as well as the story of Saul turning on David (1Samuel 17-22). Place all fears at the feet of our living God, and trust in Him.

By Daniel Forster
Used by Permission

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The post Overcoming the Stronghold of Fear appeared first on Thoughts About God.

As I recently prayed about an important decision I needed to make, I remembered there was a time when I didn’t. As a young Christian I didn’t even know that I should.

When I was in my early twenties I moved without even praying about it. I loved God and it was not my intention to go the wrong way, I just had not learned yet that we are to seek God as we make choices and decisions. I just plowed ahead completely tossing all wisdom aside.

I was a young Christian and hadn’t been in my Bible much or heard a lot of teaching and I didn’t know to even pray about choices and decisions. I had not been raised in the church and had not learned these important spiritual lessons.

So, I immaturely quit a job and moved out of state just because I was not satisfied with the status quo. Long story short, that move failed and I quickly ended up back in the same town, but without an apartment, furniture, or job. I had to start over.

But it wasn’t that long until my husband came into the picture and I knew exactly why God brought me back.

When I think about God undoing my bad decision and bringing me back and how He brought my husband across my path by moving him to my town and bringing him to my church – I saw His grace and love for me forged deeply across my heart forever.

Oh, I am grateful He covers us with a lot of tender grace in our youth and that He is patient with us as we learn and grow in the ways of the Lord.

God definitely gained my attention through that experience and how He amazingly worked in my life. It was a significant turning point in my spiritual growth that impacted the deepness of faith I walk in today.

God cares about every detail of our lives and He has a plan that is slowly unfolding through the circumstances we experience. We would be wise to seek Him, and pray and also to trust and wait on Him.

Philippians 4:6-7

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

By Kathy Cheek
Used by Permission

Are you at a place in your life where you want to know Jesus and have him in your life?  You can start a life surrendered to Christ today. This is a sample, simple prayer, but the words are powerful and full of meaning.  If  you truly believe them Christ will enter your life and start you on a wonderful journey. (not always easy, but never alone)

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to You and ask You to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

It starts now!

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If God Were to Answer Your Phone Call

The post Pray Before You Leap appeared first on Thoughts About God.

The summer between my 3rd and 4th year of university, I worked at Yellowstone National Park.

It was a great summer, full of adventures and new experiences.

On a day off, I had signed up for a day-long class in rock climbing. I was successfully making my way up the side of a mountain when the instructor surprised me with an unexpected challenge when he said,

“I want you to push yourself off and fall on the rope!”

Questioning why he would ask me to do this, I hesitated, and he wisely pointed out that “You will never be a good rock climber until you can trust that the rope will hold you. Push yourself off and fall on the rope.”

I was afraid.

Obviously, my trust was in my ability to use my hands and feet to scale the mountain. The rope was a secondary source of security, in case I slipped (which I did not plan to do!). I eventually did let go of my handholds, and I’m here to tell you that the rope held!

Sometimes God seems to say the same thing to me as my instructor did that day. “Take the step, release your hands on what you are holding and see that I’m trustworthy.” The writer of the Psalms wrote,

“O taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the person who takes refuge in Him!” (Psalm 34:8)

Just as I would never be a good rock climber without experiencing that the rope will hold. The same is true of my spiritual life. I will never be a responsive Christ follower if I am unwilling to let go of whatever I am grasping when God says, “Let go, trust me.”

Are you willing to let go of the things that give you security?

We can only experience God’s goodness when we take those, sometimes scary steps that take faith. Do you trust God is able to hold you securely when you let go of the things that provide comfort or security? What step is God asking you to take? Could it be he is asking you to let go of a relationship, finances or a position … A thought that comforts me is God holds the universe together it is likely he can provide all I need to hold life together … Enjoy the adventure!

Question: Do you believe your rope, God, will hold you during tough times?

By Mike Woodard
Used by Permission

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

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He’s Holding Me

A God Who Never Deserts Us

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The post Will the Rope Hold? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping — believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, ‘That’s how many descendants you will have!’ And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead — and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.” Romans 4:18-20 (NLT)

It is highly frustrating when you are waiting on God and expecting your current state to change. God doesn’t always show you how things will turn out, but He often gives you a glimpse into what He has waiting for you. Let’s look at Abraham, the father of faith.

Even though they had passed child bearing age, God had promised Abraham and Sarah a son of their own. I can imagine the anguish I would have felt even after the promise was made. I am someone who needs to know the exact details. I need to know the “ins and the outs” of how it will all work out.

Unfortunately, this is not the walk of faith.

Faith believes that what God says will take place without a shadow of a doubt. Faith believes that we will see the promises of God unfold even when it looks impossible. Faith believes in what we can’t see, and knows it is there.

We learn a lot from Abraham as we watch him wait upon the promise of God to be fulfilled in his life. The Scriptures tells us that he hoped against hope, believing that God was faithful to perform that which he had promised.

As Abraham walked out his faith, we also learn what not to do. We learn that it is much better to wait on God rather than working out our own plans. When we believe we have the answers, we miss God’s best.

Father, I come today asking that You strengthen those who are still waiting for what You have promised. Grant them a glimpse of hope today. Help them to see what You are doing during the process as they await Your next move. You always have our best interest at heart. May we learn to trust You, just as Abraham did. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

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Withholding Nothing

Abraham’s Journey of Faith

Do you want a Deeper Faith:  Here are some links for you

The post Faith Believes appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” John 15:7  (KJV).

When Campus Crusade for Christ began at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1951, our first act was to organize a 24-hour prayer chain. Around the clock, scores of men and women interceded for UCLA students and faculty. God answered prayer in a remarkable way, as His Spirit touched the entire campus.

Thirty-one years later, more than 16,000 full-time and associate staff members of Campus Crusade for Christ in more than 150 countries and protectorates are teaching millions of others the importance of prayer, with revolutionary spiritual results and many millions receiving Christ.

Prayer has always been the breath, life, vitality, strength and power of the Christian. Beginning with our Lord, who spent much time in prayer, and continuing with the disciples and fruitful, Spirit-filled Christians through the centuries, prayer remains a major emphasis in the life of every believer.

History records no mighty men or women of God whose lives were not characterized by prayer, nor any great spiritual movements, awakenings or revivals that were not preceded by prayer. James 4:2 reminds us, “Ye have not, because ye ask not.”

It is not enough to pray, we must pray according to the Word and will of God. For that reason, understanding and obeying our Scripture assignment for today is crucial. We must abide in Christ and allow His Word to abide in us before we are qualified to pray. God’s Word reminds us,

And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us; And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15, KJV).

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:7-11

Thought: From this day forth I will seek, through the enabling of the Holy Spirit, to abide in Christ and have His Word abide in me. As I discover God’s Will through the diligent study of His Word and the leading of His Holy Spirit, I will pray more intelligently and thus can expect answers to my prayers.

by Dr. Bill Bright
Used by Permission

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Praying in Faith

The post Ask What You Will appeared first on Thoughts About God.