Thoughts for 30Sep2012 #2180 I am not weak Jesus gave all Christians the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Titus 3:3-7). The Spirit lives in us, making our bodies a Temple (1 Cor. 6:19-20) and blessing us in many ways (Romans 8). We can be courageous people even in the face of attack, criticism, and ridicule because of the Spirit's presence. The fruit that the Spirit produces (Gal. 5:22-23) and the love that the Spirit pours into our heart (Rom. 5:5) do not make us weak. Instead, the Spirit's presence is a powerful force to help us overcome sin (Rom. 8:13) and live self-disciplined lives. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline 2180

Thoughts for 29Sep2012 #2179 Go to HIM Deliverance! A great theme of the Bible is that God is a God of deliverance who keeps his promises and faithfully shares his grace, mercy, and justice. Let this promise stir you to righteous living and to cry out to God in all your troubles. cry out to God with the praises, questions, and wounds that life brings. Let his presence be real to you and your heart open to him. Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 2179

Thoughts for 28Sep2012 #2178 Do not do evil deeds God hates violence and demands that we not admire those who are violent or share in their violent lifestyle. (Proverbs. 3:31) God abhors those who do evil. God not only opposes them when they are alive, he also mitigates their influence after they are gone. He helps them be seen for what they really are. Far from being viewed as heroes, their legacy of hate and wickedness is spurned, shunned, scandalized, and forgotten. Psalm 34:16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 2178

Thoughts for 27Sep2012 #2177 Be careful how we live Even though we are God's holy children, we also need to be aware of what time it is in our world. The evil one still exercises his control over the hearts of many people. God wants us to make the most of every opportunity we have to touch the lives of others with his grace and to resist the temptation and overcome the opposition of the evil one. Ephesians 5:15-16 Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 2177

Thoughts for 26Sep2012 #2176 Faith Some aspects of faith are beyond description: they can only be experienced and known by doing them. Taste the Lord. Sample his goodness. Lean on his grace. Take protection in his care. We are blessed to find him near and take our protection from life's greatest dangers and death's greatest fears. Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 2176

Thoughts for 25Sep2012 #2175 Help those in need Psalm 34:6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. So few hear the cry of the poor or respond to the troubles of the underprivileged. If we are going to be true children of God, His values must become our own, His lost sheep must become our search. Let's help others around us who are in need. 2175

Thoughts for 24Sep2012 #2174 Our daily battles The battles we face are physical and spiritual. It is the spiritual battle with powers that we do not easily see and which are very powerful. We should not dismiss this as an imaginary battle or as an irrelevant struggle. Just as clearly as Satan was crouching at Cain's door, desiring to have him, so he crouches at our door (Gen. 4:7). He will use his forces of evil to do all he can to defeat, destroy, or corrupt us. We must take this war seriously and recognize the spiritual power of our foe. Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 2174

Thoughts for 23Sep2012 #2173 Patience and faith Like faith, there is another force that goes along with it that is just as important. It is patience, the ability to stand fast on the Word of God even when your victory seems slow in coming. Patience is not automatic. It would not go to work unless you let it go to work. It is wrong to think that faith and patience will go to work for us without our help. We just let the devil tear our lives apart. In the first place, James says, "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God" (James 1:13). And in the second place, that trial is not going to make your faith stronger. In fact, it will destroy it if you will let it. James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 2173

Thoughts for 22Sep2012 #2172 Be attentive So often we are focused only on the things that we like, on the things that we are good at doing, or on the things that we are interested in accomplishing. God wants us to use every piece of his spiritual armor. He wants us to be disciplined and grow in the areas of our spiritual weakness and the areas we do not necessarily find exciting or interesting. Our evil opponent is cunning and will try to attack us in the areas of our weakness and defenselessness. So let us not just commit to be attentive in the areas of our interest and strength, but also in those areas where we are not. Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 2172

Thoughts for 21Sep2012 #2171 Be at peace with others It is not enough to turn from evil. We can clean the rotten things out of our life, but if we do not actively practise what is good then a worse evil will rush into the void. (Mat. 12:43-45) Let us be a people eager to do good and with a passion to "wage peace." Psalm 34:14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 2171

Thoughts for 20Sep2012 #2170 Telling the truth God reminds us that our words and the way we use our speech greatly influence the quality of life we enjoy. Evil speech and lies we tell - they set loose a force of deception and damage that we cannot control. This unleashed power not only damages those about whom and to whom we speak, but they eventually bounce back and come back and bring their deadly effect back into our own lives. Let us speak what is right, good, wholesome, holy, true, and a blessing. (Ephesians 4:20-5:12) Psalm 34:12-13 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. 2170

Thoughts for 19Sep2012 #2169 Help one another Psalm 34:6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. So few hear the cry of the poor or respond to the troubles of the underprivileged. If we are going to be true children of God, His values must become our own, His lost sheep must become our search. Let's help others around us who are in need. 2169

Thoughts for 18Sep2012 #2168 Fairness It is a fact of life in most societies that the attractive individual has many advantages in regard to employment, educational assignment, social life, and more. We as human beings have a natural preference to be partial in our relationships and dealings with others over a broad range. Most of us have been on the receiving end of one form or another of partiality by others. If such partiality when experienced is in the negative, it is not very pleasant and sometimes affects him for life. The good news is that God is not a respecter of persons or has partiality based on certain qualities that a person may or not have. Do you have partiality toward some individuals over others? Do you harbor discrimination toward those who may be different from you? Allow God to change your way of thinking! Acts 10:34-36 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ - He is Lord of all. Romans 2 : 10-11 ...but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. Galatians 2:6. But from those who seemed to be something - whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man - for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 2168

Thoughts for 17Sep2012 #2167 His Promise God not only buys us out of our bondage and debt to sin, but he also promises us that he will provide protection for those who trust in Him. Our future is tied to Him and not to our ability to provide and protect what we need. Psalm 34 : 22 The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him. 2167

Thoughts for 16Sep2012 #2166 Wait for the result Many people do not have the patience to wait for the result to happen. They will pray for others or lay hands on someone and pray for healing or deliverance and then, when they do not see any immediate, outward change taking place, they will withdraw their faith and assume nothing has happened. Next time you're tempted to evaluate what God is doing by the looks of things, do not do it. Remember instead that it is faith, not appearances, that makes miracles happen. It's the only real evidence that you need! Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2166

Thoughts for 15Sep2012 #2165 Love is an action Love is much more than a feeling or an attitude: love is an action. When we love, we show it by our deeds. Our love is shown by our obedience to the things Jesus taught. Obedience brings an incredible blessing -- Jesus reveals himself to those who obey him! John 14:21 [Jesus said] "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." 2165

Thoughts for 14Sep2012 #2164 Freedom This is the great reminder that sin is no longer our master and no longer our choice. We choose to live for God with every fiber of our being and dislike the life of sin that once held us in bondage to death and defeat. Romans 6:15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 2164

Thoughts for 13Sep2012 #2163 Boasting What do we have in which we can boast ? We have no basis to boast in our own might. We cannot preserve our lives. determine the future or change the past. We are living proof of God’s grace and mercy – He saved us when we didn't deserve it, He rescued us from sin and death when we had no power to preserve our lives. God saves the sinner, raises up the disheartened, and mends the broken. Praise the LORD for his glory. Praise the LORD for his grace. Psalm 34:2 My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 2163

Thoughts for 12Sep2012 #2162 Be alert Have you ever been frustrated with the weaknesses of your flesh? Have you ever resolved never more to yield to a particular sin, yet when the temptation came, you fell right back into it? It's happened to all of us. Even the disciple Peter. He swore he would never deny Jesus...but he did it anyway, time and time and time again. There is, however, something we can do to keep from falling prey to temptations. We can "watch and pray." That's what Jesus told Peter and the other disciples to do in the Garden of Gethsemane. Romans 8:26 .. the "(Holy) Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 2162

Thoughts for 11Sep2012 #2161 The fountain It is not possible to put any trash in the mouth of a flowing fountain ! The force of its own outflow protects it and keeps it clear of any impurities from the outside. Well, the spiritual fountain within you works the same way. When you are allowing the forces of love and joy and peace and gentleness and all the others to flow out, the devil can not get any of his junk in. How do you keep the Spirit flowing? Keep your heart full of the Word of God that the forces of eternal life start bubbling out. Just a little at first...and then stronger and higher. John 4:14 Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 2161

Thoughts for 10Sep2012 #2160 Wisdom What are the greatest riches in life? They are not silver and gold. Of infinitely greater value is wisdom, which helps us understand what is valuable, what is true, what is worthy of our heart, and what is not. Proverbs 16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver! 2160

Thoughts for 09Sep2012 #2159 Poor words and bad timing How many times have you said just the "wrong" thing? Jesus words on this topic are indeed convicting : "Out of the abundance of the heart does the mouth speak." In other words, poor words and bad timing in our speech are more issues of our heart than issues of social skills and decorum. Let us ask God to purify, mend, and re-focus our heart on his will and passions. Proverbs 10:32 The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse. 2159

Thoughts for 08Sep2012 #2158 The powerful Word God's word is a light to our dark path in a morally uncertain world. is our standard for right and wrong, righteousness and evil. delivers us from all sorts of destructive practices that can ruin our lives. Psalm 119:133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. 2158

Thoughts for 07Sep2012 #2157 The wicked and the righteous The wicked fear the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness. not being in control. death's overtaking them. The righteous desire the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness. offer their lives to be controlled by the Holy Spirit of God. recognize death is an enemy, but one that has been conquered by their Savior. Proverbs 10:24 What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted. 2157

Thoughts for 06Sep2012 #2156 Anger and foolishness Responding quickly to aggravation, threat, insult, or difficulty suggests strength to many folks Jul2012. However, responding hastily out of anger is foolish. This response seldom produces the desired long term effect and nearly always compounds the problems that need to be addressed. Patiently dealing with frustrating and painful situations shows understanding and is nearly always more fruitful in the long run. Proverbs 14:29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly. 2156

Thoughts for 05Sep2012 #2155 Integrity Be a person of integrity. When someone finds out your secrets, you can feel secure knowing that you have lived for godliness. However, a perverse and deceitful person has to constantly worry that someone will find him out. There is no security or assurance in crooked paths, only the certainty of getting tripped up and caught. When the secrets of evil that have been whispered in dark places get shouted from the rooftops, those who have lived for the Lord can be secure, knowing that what gets shouted about them is said with the voice of God: "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Proverbs 10:9 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. 2155

Thoughts for 04Sep2012 #2154 Seek the real answer God quenches the thirst and satisfies the hunger of those who seek him. So often we try to soothe the ache in our soul and fill the emptiness in our heart with what is only a temporary satisfaction that only God's presence can fill. Let's refuse every false satisfaction and seek the LORD! Psalm 107 : 9 For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. 2154

Thoughts for 03Sep2012 #2153 A varied life A river is victoriously unrelenting, it overcomes all barriers. The obstacle is a matter of indifference to the river which will flow steadily through you if you remember to keep right at the source. The Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. Never get your eyes on the obstacle or on the difficulty. Never allow anything to come between yourself and Jesus Christ, no emotion, or experience; nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source. John 7 : 38 Rivers of living water. 2153

Thoughts for 02Sep2012 #2152 Slow down Some of us would not slow down for anything! When we get too caught up in our own plans, the LORD, our Shepherd, slows us down and makes us lie down. Our Shepherd knows we need rest, nourishment, and refreshment and helps us find "green pastures" and "still waters." He then leads us in the direction of his righteousness and holiness once we are rested and refreshed. Isn't it interesting that God's order for our life is always grace and then glory? Psalm 23 : 2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 2152

Thoughts for 01Sep2012 #2151 Languages of nature Think of the majestic order of the universe and its obedience to unchanging law. The language of order, beauty, perfection and intelligence speaks of the existence of God There is (a) certainty and regularity of the seasons (b) precision of the movements of the sun, the moon and the stars (c) regular coming of the night and day (d) balance between man’s consumption of life-giving oxygen and its production by the plant-life of the earth Psalm 19 : 1-3 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 2151