14 Sep 2014 Thoughts#3318

14 Sep 2014

Thoughts#3318

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:22-24 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When we accept the person of Jesus and His teaching into our daily lives, we become new in the attitude of our minds. We become more and more like God. His righteousness and His holiness permeate our very beings. Our old sinful natures give way to the power of the Lord, and our lives become enriched by the mosaic of Christ's love.

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13 Sep 2014 Thoughts#3317

13 Sep 2014

Thoughts#3317

Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord. 

Lamentations 3:40 

Thus it was beautiful in greatness and in the length of its branches, because its roots reached to abundant waters.

Ezekiel 31:7 

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving

Colossians 2:6-7 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Our roots in the Lord can be shallow and short, or we can become deeply rooted in Him. At times, we need to have weeds removed from our lives, and when we do, as with the plants, we need to have all the root removed or that area will continue to have a hold in our lives.

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12 Sep 2014 Thoughts#3316

12 Sep 2014

Thoughts#3316

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

Psalm 36:9 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

At times, we can feel weary, alone, and forsaken. Our spirits can be tired, depressed, and isolated. During those dry times, we need to turn to Jesus, our fountain of life and bright light of hope. Through Him and with Him, we can be replenished, re-strengthened, and restored. All we need to do is ask Him

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11 Sep 2014 Thoughts#3315

11 Sep 2014

Thoughts#3315

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Colossians 3:12-14 

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Matthew 10:16 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The dove has been a symbol of Christianity since its early stages, and has several representations. It depicts the presence of the Holy Spirit, who descended upon Jesus, as described in the Gospels. But the dove is also a symbol of peace and forgiveness, as it relates to the story of Noah near the end of the flood: "When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf!" (Genesis 8:11 )

This peaceful dove, the Holy Spirit, gentle but no less powerful, is able to produce the qualities mentioned in today's Scripture, if we will yield our lives to Him. Through the Spirit's power, we may be wise yet harmless.

We are to be clothed not only with the garment of salvation but also with the garments of love and Christian service, as Jesus commands us: "Be dressed ready for service."(Luke 12:35) Then, we may be a light sent forth to shine in this lost and dark world.

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10 Sep 2014 Thoughts#3314

10 Sep 2014

Thoughts#3314

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

Habakkuk 2:3 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Waiting is an important part of serving God. It's His will that matters, not our own. We may be living in unsettling times, but God will decide when He wants finally to intervene. There is nothing that we can do but hope and pray, stand and wait.

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09 Sep 2014 Thoughts#3313

09 Sep 2014

Thoughts#3313

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Psalm 119:130 

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:5 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We sometimes experience times of adversity: neglect, disharmony, deep grief, or a myriad of things that thrust us into a dimming situation. It is not always easy to keep the light on in our darkest hours. In such times, it is not unusual to question His presence, threatening our ability to stay strong in our faith while working through our problems.

But just like that little light in the dim doorway, we need to keep God's light shining in our hearts and minds. We need to keep the hope that one day, too, our door to better times will be opened.

Whether in good or troubled times, by keeping His light shining within us, we then are shining examples for others.

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08 Sep 2014 Thoughts#3312

08 Sep 2014

Thoughts#3312

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.

Hebrews 3:12-14 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When life becomes wearisome, it is for a good reason.  It may be pride, anger, sorrow, disillusionment, something negative that we watch or read, or maybe stress caused by differences with those we love, work with, or maybe even worship.

Whatever the cause,  God knows our frailties of mind, body, and soul. He can see when we are out of alignment with Him and His way. If we recognize the need ourselves, when we are rubbing up against the brakes in some manner, and seek Him to be realigned, Jesus will fix us up and put us straight.

Then, even if our circumstances stay the same, Jesus in us will change our perspective, our resolve, our willingness, and our ability to overcome, so that we can continue on the Way, safe in Him, wherever that leads, up hill or down dale.

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07 Sep 2014 Thoughts#3311

07 Sep 2014

Thoughts#3311

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Matthew 5:45b 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God has no favourites and that through His mercy, He showers blessings upon people whether or not they deserve them. We tend to be more judgmental and critical, but Christ is telling us that for grace to be grace, it has to be applied where it is least expected. In other words, God gives every opportunity for souls and spirits to grow under His care.

Therefore, let's try to find opportunities of applying God's grace with the people we meet today. Let's do it where it's least expected and totally undeserved. In doing so, we may rediscover the joy of God's grace that we also don't deserve.

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06 Sep 2014 Thoughts#3310

06 Sep 2014

Thoughts#3310

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 

Romans 5:3-5 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Most of us do not like suffering. When our life takes a turn from the normal, we often end up acting out. We may yowl and holler in frustration as we rail against the situation. When this doesn't bring the desired change, bad temper and pity parties may make their entrance, followed by a stage of plea bargaining with God to open the doors of whatever suffering has us confined within such an intolerable situation.

We read our Bible more. We pray continually. We do every good act of mercy we can manage, yet still, the constraint of suffering is not lifted.

Perhaps, it's because the journey is not yet over, a journey which God has allowed us to embark upon that we might become larger -- more mature people -- spiritually.

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05 Sep 2014 Thoughts#3309

05 Sep 2014

Thoughts#3309

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted 

Matthew 5:4 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The emphasis on the Scripture verse, those who mourn are said to be "blessed", and at the end, they are "comforted". So it is, as we journey through all of our various mournings and grievings. Our tears may be sweet or bitter, but God blesses them all. So, let us feel free to mourn and grieve, and shed our tears in repentance for sin, or for the loss of a beloved one, or in pity, shame, or hurt.

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04 Sep 2014 Thoughts#3308

04 Sep 2014

Thoughts#3308

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Most of us bear the scars of those who have hurt us in one way or another. Some of these wounds can be fairly superficial, while others can be deep and long-lasting. Such wounds can rob us of healthy relationships with others, as well as our own inner peace, confidence, and joy. When we choose to believe and embrace the words of Scripture, however, it is amazing the comfort and direction which is available to each and every one of us -- no matter how much we have suffered or struggled with.

God is our comfort. He is able, amidst it all, to guide and lead and direct, to touch and heal, and to restore that which has been stolen. With restoration also comes ministry, as in Christ we become vessels of comfort and healing to others.

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03 Sep 2014 Thoughts#3307

03 Sep 2014

Thoughts#3307

Didn't we say to you in Egypt, "Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians"? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert! 

Exodus 14:12 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Perhaps some of us are struggling with an issue from the past or are deeply troubled about our present circumstances. Maybe we're pining for the good old days or fearful of what lies ahead. Whatever we are experiencing, it's time to surrender it all to Christ and place it in His hands. Being depressed about the past or anxious about the future just saps our energy, well-being, and health. When we put ourselves in Christ's arms, He embraces us and all our baggage. He promises to help us through the emotional wilderness and to lead each of us to a better life, a more hopeful time, and a brighter day. I know this to be true.

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02 Sep 2014 Thoughts#3306

02 Sep 2014

Thoughts#3306

This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 

John 15:8 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The fruit of the Spirit produced in our lives become more noticeable as they are improved.

To improve our fruit of the Spirit, we need to partner with God in the various acts of ministry. As we work in partnership with Him, there will be indicators in our lives that we are becoming more Christlike. As we grow, we also rejoice in the spiritual fruit in the lives of those with whom we share life's journey.

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01 Sep 2014 Thoughts#3305

01 Sep 2014

Thoughts#3305

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God's ways often seem foolish to the wise of this world, but only God's ways lead to life and godliness.

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