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/

The post The Beginning of Joy 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.

“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

What does that say to you?

“But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.” Malachi 3:2-3

After changing into some coveralls, we entered the mine shaft elevator and descended some two miles below the surface of the South African earth. As we exited the elevator and boarded the mining train, I was surprised that the temperature exceeded a hundred degrees. After travelling what seemed like miles at such a slow speed, but was probably only a few hundred yards, we arrived at the mining site. Miners with heavy hydraulic tools were chipping ore from the vein. As the hoppers of the train cars were loaded, the gold ore began its long trip to the surface.

Once on the surface, we followed the refining procedure. First, the ore was broken into smaller pieces with a giant machine and then through a water screening process and finally crushed as fine as sand between giant rollers before once again being filtered through water to separate out the pure gold. Two piles of material were produced, one was a giant pile of processed ore and the other a small pile of pure gold.

The ore was hauled away and the gold was put into a hot fire. Heated at exactly the right temperature in the right amount of time, the gold turned into a reddish gold colour. The impurities floated to the top and were skimmed off and discarded leaving the pure gold that was slowly poured into a mold, where it was allowed to cool. Gold cools quickly and in a short time, the gold brick is snapped out of its mold and someone handed me the seventy-five pound brick to hold and admire.

As I looked at this beautiful and valuable ingot of precious metal, I thought of all I had seen it go through to go from being trapped in rock two miles below the earth to being subjected to the toughest of physical procedures and then being melted into a viscous state so that it could be pure and be molded to the mining master’s precise specifications.

God is like the mining master and we are His precious gold, but before we can become pure, we too have to be forged by fire, separated from our natural impurities and then molded to His specifications for serving Him. It is not easy and it is not fun, but when it is all done, it is so beautiful. Is God waiting to purify and sanctify you?

by John Grant
Used by Permission

John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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

FURTHER READING

• Energizing Verses for Every Day
• Weighed Down
• Why We’re Less Likely to Try Great Things for God

The post From Rocks to Pure Gold appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“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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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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“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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