“Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight.” Acts 9:17-18 (ESV)

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ”  Galatians 1:10 (ESV)

During the move to our new house the bathroom scales were broken inside. Now those scales tell me that I am a little over eleven stones (150 lbs.). This is so untrue that I cannot swallow their declaration. My body has not seen eleven stones (150 lbs.) for thirty years. Of course, I might like to let myself be deceived by the odd stone or two but not by a third of my weight!

The inner-self declared the scale’s error as I hesitated near the full-length mirror in the bedroom! I could not get away with believing the untruth unless I set out to deliberately avoid my reflection, shadow etc.

There are plethora criteria with which we all attempt to measure up: our parents; fellow workers; people in our church – or the one down the road; our neighbors; those older; those younger; those with features and assets different to ours in any and every way. For each of us the list is personal and potentially unlimited. We can be deceived, deluded or obsessed by our comparison and judgment with values from this world once we let our minds stray from the truth.

I remember the story of Belshazzar who was weighed in the balance and found wanting by God (Daniel 5:27), and in the same night slaughtered. If we believe the world alone, how will their values stand up against God’s rule when we come to our day of judgment?

Jesus – who sees us for who we really are – will one day take us into a new perfected eternal bodily form, free from comparison, sin and sorrow, with all our imperfections dealt with and cleansed.

In the interim, I believe Jesus died to set us free from enslavement to this world, its false declarations, deceptions and judgments. Today, by Grace, we can hear the truth in Him.

PRAYER: LORD, we thank You that You have given us an inner voice for You to speak into our lives today, words of guidance, life and encouragement. Set us free from delusion, doubt and sin so that, by Your Holy Spirit, we can live and move in Your will for our lives again. Amen.

By Rod Marshall
used by permission

FURTHER READING

God’s Plan or My Plan?

Walking with Jesus

When the Spirit Prompts, Forgive

The post Recognizing the Truth appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Is there a difference?

I think “being smart” often relies on our own cognitive abilities.

“He sure is smart.”

“That was a smart solution you came up with.”

“What a smart thing to do!”

We tap into our own knowledge, be it through reading, studying or experiences.

When we are being wise, we rely on someone or something other than our own storehouse of knowledge to inform us, knowing our own limitations. That takes humility but also discernment.

The Apostle James wrote: “But 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.” James 3:17

The more we embrace the wonder of God, the more we realize how inadequate we are without His guidance in our lives. Smartness relies on what you already have stored in your brain. Wisdom constantly seeks to learn, embrace and use knowledge from an outside source. For the believer, that source is our Lord.

It is good to be smart, whether from the street or from books. But how much better to gain wisdom from the One who created the universe and expressed complete love on the cross!

Lord of all wisdom, increase our desire to know You, to emulate You and to turn to You when we just do not understand. 

Thought: What situation or problem today is beyond your ability to figure out? Bring it before God in prayer. Ask for His wisdom.

By Julie Cosgrove
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Get Wise

Living Wisely

Seeking the Source of Sound Wisdom

The post Being Smart or Being Wise appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” Galatians 1:6-9

When a friend first stated the phrase, it immediately got my attention. He said that what we are seeing in the world is not so much a turning from God, but a secularization of spirituality. He is so right.

People still say “God bless you,” and organizations still have generic invocations and benedictions. It makes us feel good to know that we are invoking God’s blessings, but society says to be very careful in quoting scripture, if you do it at all and certainly don’t mention or talk about Jesus, as it might offend someone, or be considered politically incorrect. People identify with the Christian faith though not having a clue of what goes on in a church or much less having attended in person.

Many people in contemporary society say that God is dead, but they are not quite ready to conduct the funeral. Instead, they want a designer faith that makes them feel good. Most people in every society that has been studied are born with a thirst for religion. It was Voltaire who said that if God didn’t exist, man would have to invent him.

The Bible says that it was God who invented man in His own image, not the other way around. Yet in a rapidly growing post modern era, more and more people want to re-create God in their image and with Him have a sense of spirituality that accommodates their need for belief for a superior being without interfering with the life style they want to lead.

Paul was clear in speaking to the church at Galatia when he said that a “different” gospel is no gospel at all. The Gospel is not like computer software with its continual updates. Can you imagine Matthew, Mark, Luke and John 2.0? We cannot keep adding patches that make it better or tweak it to make it more user friendly. It is not ours, but Gods, and any attempt on our part to make it more to our own liking is wrong.

The Bible is the inerrant and holy Word of God. May we always remember to honor and obey it and to keep it Holy. May we alter our lifestyle to live a holy life and not adulterate God’s Word to accommodate our own lifestyle wishes.
(a thought on life from John Grant)

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

FURTHER READING

Spirituality

Pray and Seek My Face

The Transcendent Life

The post The Secularization of Spirituality appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 2:26

God often speaks at the most unexpected times. One day I was casually talking with a friend about a situation at my job. In the middle of the conversation I said, “This is driving me crazy.” My friend simply looked at me and said, “Only if you let it.”

In five words, my friend had summed up one of the major issues I have been struggling with for years: how do I keep from giving away the peace I have in Christ?

I confess that I am a perfectionist. If something doesn’t go the way I want it to go, I get anxious and upset. I feel out of control.

I have to remember that the peace of God is with me because the Spirit of God is with me. I must keep my mind on the person and promises of God instead of letting circumstances lead me into thoughts of anxiousness. To me, this means remembering some important truths:

•    I am a child of God (Romans 8:14).
•    God is for me, not against me (Romans 8:31).
•    I have the favor of God (Proverbs 8:35).
•    God’s love for me surpasses my understanding of it (Ephesians 3:19).

It takes practice to keep my mind on Jesus and not on the turmoil around me. But when I can do it, I have His perfect peace in the middle of the storm

Lord, help me cooperate with You to keep my peace. Help me focus my mind on You. Amen.

By Debbie West
used by permission

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FURTHER READING

Finding Perfect Peace by Kathy Cheek

Perfect Peace by Phil Ware

Perfect Peace

The post Work For Peace appeared first on Thoughts About God.

May You Find Jesus to Be

The music that causes your heart to sing;

The joy that causes your heart to rejoice;

The glory that causes your heart to worship;

The wonder that causes your heart to believe;

The security that causes your heart to trust;

The peace that causes your heart to rest;

The promise that causes your heart to hope;

The beauty that causes your heart to delight;

The majesty that causes your heart to surrender;

The love that causes your heart to give.

“For me to live is Christ [His life in me]”. Philippians 1:21 AMP

by Roy Lessin
used by permission

A Poem of Hope …”I feel the arms of God around me”

I Testify that God is…. – by Wendy Patrick

A Morning Prayer by Malcolm Boyd

The post May You Find Jesus to Be appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“God is the strength of my heart.”  Psalm 73:26, NKJV

God is for you. Turn to the sidelines; that’s God cheering your run. Look past the finish line; that’s God applauding your steps. Listen for Him in the bleachers, shouting your name.

Too tired to continue? He’ll carry you. Too discouraged to fight? He’s picking you up. God is for you.

by Max Lucado
used by permission

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

FURTHER READING

What Matters to You Matters to God

Let God Teach You

You Are God’s Design

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The post God is for You appeared first on Thoughts About God.

I don’t know about you, but I love going to Charity performances, etc., and feel really good about giving my money to a worthy cause.  It makes me feel warm inside and generally, I have a great time with my friends as well.  This week, I had cause to read the passage from Matthew about giving, and it made me stop and question my way of giving.

I asked myself if I would have given that money if I didn’t get anything out of it? Would I have been willing to give a homeless person I met in the street a bed and shelter without the fear that they would take my possessions or dirty my clean house?  I don’t think so.  It is far easier to give to an organization, using the excuse that they are able to deal with the situation much better than I can.

Another question that needs my answer is whether I would give my money to the church if I wasn’t in the planned giving program?  I know I give my time and my talents freely, but would I give my money anonymously during the week and not just on a Sunday when it is time for the offering?

I found these tough questions to answer but think we need to ask them every now and again, keeping in mind these verses and the way we give of our time and our money.

Matthew 6:1-4: “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Prayer: God of Wisdom and Compassion, thank you that you sent your Son to teach us your ways so that we can make your Kingdom here on Earth a better place and also bring us closer to you.  Help us to see all our giving as an act from you and not from ourselves.  Amen

By Terry Stead
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Tithing – The Generosity Habit

Try Tithing

Joyful Generosity

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The post Giving appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart.” Psalm 15:2

Singer Bethany Dillon believes that college students value honesty when you’re telling them about Jesus. She said, “If Christ is shared in an honest, no frills, very passionate way, I think [the message] is heard.”

When Deanna heard that, she was puzzled.  All her life she had never let out what she really felt inside. So, her faith on campus seemed all too surreal to her classmates. Most of them thought she came from a loving home. But that wasn’t true.

Dear friend, honesty speaks far louder than the content of your words.  When Deanna decided to admit her emotional scars, the work God had done in her life seemed genuine. Christ’s love, comfort and joy were evident now as Deanna spoke honestly.

Maybe it’s time you shared how Christ has totally changed your life, honestly!   I think the difficulty in sharing with college-aged people is that it’s such a transitional season of life, SO much learning is going on– figuring out who you really are– taking hold of independence for the first time… I just think there are a lot of walls that go up because of it. However, I also feel like people in college really value HONESTY… whatever’s  REAL, you know? And if Christ is shared in a brutally honest, no frills, very passionate way, I think it’s heard.  I think one of the most precious things about His presence in my life is the permission to be HONEST… whether that’s weeping on my floor for hours without saying a word, or dancing around like a fool and not thinking twice about it. For that to be a safe place full of understanding, that’s been such a healing thing.

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Ideas to share Christ’s love

Extending Grace to Others

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

The post Honestly appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“The LORD hates those who tell lies but is pleased with those who keep their promises.”  Proverbs 12:22 (NCV)

Our Master has a strict honor code. From Genesis to Revelation, the theme is the same: God loves the truth and hates deceit. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Paul lists the type of people who will not inherit the kingdom of God. The covey he portrays is a ragged assortment of those who sin sexually, worship idols, take part in adultery, sell their bodies, get drunk, rob people, and–there it is–lie about others.

Such rigor may surprise you. You mean my fibbing and flattering stir the same heavenly anger as adultery and aggravated assault? Apparently so….

Why the hard line? Why the tough stance?  For one reason: dishonesty is absolutely contrary to the character of God.

by Max Lucado
Used by permission

From: Just Like Jesus
Copyright (Word Publishing, 1998)

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

Further Reading

•  Truth Be Told – by Melissa Talbot

• Truth– A Devotional by Katherine Kehler

•  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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The post Fruit of Love appeared first on Thoughts About God.

““For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Much has been said about Jesus’ “gift of the Cross.” But what of the other gifts? What of the nails, the crown of thorns?  The garments taken by the soldiers?  Have you taken time to open these gifts?

He didn’t have to give us these gifts, you know. The only required act for our salvation was the shedding of blood, yet He did much more.  So much more.

Search the scene of the Cross—and what do you find? A wine-soaked sponge.  A sign.  Two crosses beside Christ. Divine gifts intended to stir that moment, that split second when your face will brighten, your eyes will widen, and God will hear you whisper, “You did this for me?” Dare we think such thoughts?

Let’s unwrap these gifts of grace– as if for the first time. Pause and listen.  Perhaps you will hear Him whisper, “I did it just for you!”

By Max Lucado
Used by permission
From: He Chose the Nails

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

FURTHER READING

• Eternal Love

• Fully Surrender to the Lord

•  Salvation Explained

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The post Unwrapping the Gifts of the Cross appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”  Ephesians 3:17-19

Thoughts on today’s verse

Love that surpasses knowledge. That’s very difficult to explain, but when you have loved your spouse for decades you experience what this means. When you love a child and do what you never dreamed you could do for another human being, you understand this phrase. And when you stand before God, adopted as a full heir of all his great riches, a full sibling to Jesus Christ the Lord, and know you are seen as holy, without reproach, and blameless, you begin to understand this phrase.

Prayer:

Holy and incredible God, help me to know in my soul the love that is greater than words and knowledge so that I may not only be like you, but that I may know you in experience just as I know you in faith. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

by Phil Ware
used by permission

FURTHER READING

God of Love

You are Loved

Grasp His Love for You

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