Posts with the category “god-thoughts”

“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.Psalms 39:7 NIVThe Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.2 Peter 3:9 NIV We live in such a fast-moving society, don’t we? We are likely experiencing that to its fullest right now during the Christmas season. The holid...  Read More

God is so good, and His people truly should have a thankful heart, praising Him for who He is and what He has done. Unfortunately, His people haven't always had that thankful heart.  Read More

This weeks Reading:James 5:1-20 Warnings to the WealthyThe Bible says riches are neither good nor evil. We find many wealthy people in the Bible who are not condemned for their prosperity – Abraham, Job and David, for instance. In Genesis, we find God created all good things so people could fully enjoy His glory.The problem is not mere possession of things. The problem is our sinful desires, the w...  Read More

This weeks Reading:James 4:13-17 Prideful BoastingJames concludes this section of the letter with verses 13 through 17. He presses into how little we actually know or control our lives. Therefore, our best possible option at all times is to depend on God. These verses call us out for the times we boast about where we will go, what we will do and how things will turn out – habits commonly accepted...  Read More

This weeks Reading:James 4:1-12 Troubles and TemptationsJames points out sins, also called ways of the world. Believers commonly struggle with old habits of sin. They must be abandoned by applying true wisdom to produce new works by faith.Discontentment: James writes, “You do not have because you do not ask God … you ask with wrong motives.” He addresses the sin first seen in Adam and Eve (1). Dis...  Read More

This weeks Reading:James 3:1-18 Speech of the TongueFrom the beginning of his letter, James identifies speech as a key test of authentic faith. Chapter 1 says those who “do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless” (1:26). James has already condemned speaking words of moral filth, dead faith, hypocrisy, favoritism and false gospels by the time we g...  Read More

This weeks Reading:James 3:1-18James 4:1-17James 5:1-20 Living for ChristLike no other time in human history, global communication technology increases the damage uncontrolled tongues can do. Some leaders rule nations by the force of their speech. Parents and others shape the next generation by what they say and how they say it. How do you respond to careless criticism, gossip or angry outbursts ...  Read More

This weeks Reading:James 2:14-26  Faith and WorksSometimes people get confused when they compare James’ and Paul’s teachings about faith and works. Such confusion is resolved when Bible students consider all that both men wrote that is contained in the Bible.Context is crucial. Paul wrote largely to Gentile believers, and James wrote largely to Jewish believers.Paul focuses on how works is not rel...  Read More

This weeks Reading:James 2:1-13 FavoritismIn 2:1-13, James condemns favoritism (discrimination); particularly self-serving, judgmental treatment of the rich and poor. His comments equally apply to our lives today. Evil thoughts about what we can get from fellow believers must be rejected.Instead, God is to be glorified for what He has freely given to all. Jesus, the Lord of glory, laid aside His d...  Read More

This weeks Reading:James 1:19-27 Saving Faith DefinedJames, Paul and all great teachers in churches agree on the three elements of authentic faith. God-given faith includes content, assent, and commitment:Content: The gospel message focuses on the person and work of Jesus Christ. He carried out the Father’s will in His earthly ministry in dependence on the Holy Spirit. The eternal Son of God also ...  Read More

James 1:18 gives an essential truth: temptation and sin come from evil, never from God. Adam and Eve discovered how “their own evil desire” enticed them to sin (4). They received and passed on to all humanity the wages of sin – death, as God had forewarned (5). God knows and cares about every heartache and hardship. Jesus Christ will bring sin and suffering to an end when He returns.  Read More

There are eternal rewards for how we work in this life and it is good and right for those rewards to lead us to care deeply about serving others, and by extension the Lord, through the ministry of excellence at work.   Read More

Why are we commanded to steward our time wisely? Not so that we will have more time to spend on selfish pursuits. We are called to redeem our time because "the days are evil” and we are running out of time to do the will of the Lord.   Read More

When we do our most exceptional work, we will often be rewarded with financial excess. One God-honoring use of that excess is to share it generously with those who have none. The poor need our help, and we the Church are called to give it.   Read More

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  Read More

God loves you and me no matter how productive or unproductive we are today. Ironically, it’s that truth that gives us the ambition to be wildly productive. Why? Because working to earn someone’s favor is exhausting. But working in response to unconditional favor is intoxicating.  Read More

What does that future hope mean for our work today? Everything! As those "under Christ" and his authority, we are called to work in a way that makes the world long for heaven to come to earth.   Read More

Living in Peace With Others YouVersion Bible Study Finding Peace Day 8 by Charles Stanley  Read More

Today, God is asking the same question of us: “What is in your hand?” It could be a pen, cooking utensil, computer, ball, phone, certificate, diploma, or small plot of land. We should not dismiss what we have, no matter how small or unworthy it may seem. God is ready to use it to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives.   Read More

Imagine... Jesus has defeated death on the cross, has risen from the dead, has spent 40 days with you teaching you and giving instructions on how to be His witnesses to the world, and then He ascends into heaven before your very eyes. The book of Acts finds us right at this moment of Jesus’ ascension and tells of the ministry His disciples undertake to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the Roman Empire and to establish the church.  Read More

I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with litt...  Read More

God knows we can't afford to just lie there in bed, especially when it comes to our Spiritual Fitness. So when we hesitate, we have the Holy Spirit urging us onward back into the right frame of mind.   Read More

Sadly, We are certain of the painful reality of death because of our experience of this world. But We can also be certain of the joyful reality of resurrection because of our experience of Jesus Christ.  Read More

How can you act like shepherds, telling everyone about Jesus, particularly during this time of year?   Read More

The world is quiet, and there's a coolness to the air. Imagine Joseph's surprise as the angel of the Lord suddenly appears to him. Does he cry out in surprise? Does he humble himself and change his posture? What is going through his mind as he hears that his people's long-awaited Savior is finally arriving?   Read More

What if stepping into what God has for us means that we’ll not only encounter troubles and hard circumstances but sometimes run towards them?   Read More

Today's God thought is an exert from the book Making All Things New, by Henri J. M. Nouwen.  As I read this in my devotional time this morning, I felt God calling me explore deeper what our spiritual lives look like.  Do we make every day, every hour and moment of our lives as opportunity for God's light to shine in and through us?  We say we believe that God has come to give us life and life to t...  Read More

"I am your Living God, far more abundantly alive than the most vivacious person you know."  Read More

When I became a Christian 25 years ago, I took seriously Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:19: “Go and make disciples of all nations.”   Read More

"When we live in the past, we may miss out on greater things. We can learn from our past mistakes, but we shouldn’t dwell on them."  Read More