31 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3365

31 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3365

Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the mighty waters.

Isaiah 43:16 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The fog of life can surround us in such a way that we cannot see our way out of it. It can lift, but then seem to drop again to face the next challenge of life. Thus, even when we are faced with fog in our lives -- and we all will experience it at some time or another -- we can hold fast to God. Even greater is the One who stepped out of the darkness and rescued us. Our hope rests in our Lord and Saviour.

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30 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3364

30 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3364

Romans 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 

Romans 12:3

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Pride of accomplishment is normal, but keeping humble about it comes only through faith, for true humility comes through prayer -- it is given to us by God.

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29 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3363

29 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3363

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

1 Timothy 6:11-12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Sometimes it is hard to understand why God asks us to think a certain way, do certain things, or refrain from doing other things that are not indicative of someone living for Christ. That is where our faith must come in. Faith is our motivation to abide by the spiritual curfews that God outlines in His Word

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28 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3362

28 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3362

"Is anyone of you in trouble? He should pray. Is any one happy? Let him sing songs of praise."

James 5:13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Are you facing a situation right now that you can't do anything about?Maybe you are watching someone go through something that you can't help with. Do you wonder what good it will do to pray?

Let's focus today on doing what's best Let's focus on the power in our prayers. Our intercession, and nothing more, might be exactly what God desires. Let's not forget that we can offer the most help when we pray.

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27 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3361

27 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3361

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding..."

Proverbs 3: 5

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Our plan is to keep embracing what God has for her today. To trust Him with today. And then tomorrow. And then the next day.

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26 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3360

26 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3360

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 119:105 

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go", whether to the right or to the left.

Isaiah 30:21

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

On this journey called life, let us daily read our Bible to know what God expects. Let us also spend time in prayer daily and be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit so we will know the way to go.

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25 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3359

25 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3359

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.

James 5:15

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

James 5:16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Praying for others is often the only way we have of ministering to them. The Bible is filled with many instances of prayers of the faithful being answered. In living a life of faith in God through Jesus Christ, we are called to have concern for others. In some instances, all we can do is pray. It will open our hearts toward God, and through faith, it is possible that the other person may be helped.

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24 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3358

24 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3358

"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me."

Psalm 51:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The mentality of cleaning up our heart can apply to every area of our life -- marriage, family, work, relationships, and even self-image.

Today's verse reminds us how we should desire a clean heart. When David prays this prayer, he desires a new heart, a clean heart, and a spirit that desires to be like Christ. David knew that the only way he could achieve a clean heart, was through the power of Christ. We must ask God to create a new heart, a clean heart, within us and believe that as a result, our spirits will be renewed.

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23 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3357

23 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3357

God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us.

Hebrews 6:18

Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack. But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith. You know that all over the world the Lord's followers are suffering just as you are.

1 Peter 5:8-9

My dear friends, don't believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world.

1 John 4:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

This verse says we are to weigh carefully and to examine what comes our way. Does it line up with Scripture? If it does, we can trust it. Let's be aware of the lies and discrepancies that are sent our way. God cannot lie. He is truth. Let's run to Him for safety. Let's be encouraged by these truths.

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22 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3356

22 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3356

We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins.

Romans 3:22 

I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me. Inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.

Matthew 25:43,45b 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Our position in Christ, however, is more important than our place. After describing how terrible we are without Christ in Romans 3, Paul reminds us in today's verse how wonderful it is once we accept Him. Through faith, we are made right with Christ: our position. Neither troubling financial situations, nor broken relationships, nor unfortunate decisions, nor even prison can change who we are in Christ. In Him, there are no prisoners.

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21 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3355

21 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3355

I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 16:2,7,8 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

So many times, we wonder why our life is moving in the wrong direction, and no matter what we do, or whose counsel we seek, nothing seems to change for the better.In those circumstances, if we would recover our joy and peace, it is wisdom indeed to call upon the one Person in whom we can trust, and who always has our best interests at heart. And that person is Jesus.

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20 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3354

20 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3354

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you

1 Thessalonians 5:18 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

It is easy to thank God for the good blessings, but we also need to thank Him for our difficult times as well. In every instance where something not so good has happened, we can still be thankful, because if we look closely enough, we can see that the problem could have been worse.

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19 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3353

19 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3353

And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

Isaiah 41:10 

God can do anything, you know -- far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! 

Ephesians 3:20 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Draw near to God with trusting and believing hearts in full assurance of faith that He hears us and will help us with our needs and the needs of others.

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18 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3352

18 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3352

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you."

Luke 17:5-6 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What Jesus was implying here for His disciples -- and for us today -- was that no force in the world is greater than the force of faith; even the smallest amount of it can do seemingly impossible things. Even faith that seems as small as a tiny mustard seed can do the seemingly impossible: "For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37 NIV) Conversely, without God, nothing is possible; that is, nothing of lasting value:

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17 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3351

17 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3351

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 -

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

It is wonderful to know that even though we are tempted over and over, God will never leave us or forsake us, and He rescues us again and again. He can enable us to recognize such traps and resist their allure.

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16 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3350

16 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3350

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

Proverbs 16:3 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We must continually commit all we do unto the Lord, because it affords us the very best of success and benefits. When we commit everything to the Lord, we are depending on Him to meet any needs that may be at hand. We are trusting that God's supply is always sufficient Committing to God removes any self-pressure, as well as pressure others may place upon us. Truly, only what we do in the Lord will be important at the end of our earthly life.

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15 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3349

15 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3349

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Psalm 37:4 

May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways. 

1 Kings 8:57-58a 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Not knowing the sorrows or the joys, the triumphs or difficulties that may lie ahead, we must go forward in faith, believing in the guiding hand of God. Let us find in Him the courage to keep us going, knowing that our God is ever with us, no matter what change might bring.

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14 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3348

14 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3348

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect

Matthew 24:11,24 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We are cautioned and warned about false prophets .We should also take precautions against false friendships. We must take our time to examine our option of choice.

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13 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3347

13 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3347

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgement.

John 7:24 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

How often in our lives do we assume or prejudge someone or something, and taking the time to explore further, end up being pleasantly surprised -- if not even a little embarrassed -- at our prior presumption?

While we may prejudge each other, God does not prejudge us. It's not His style. Our lives on earth are given to us with choices. Our judgement comes at the end of our lives when our "pages" are full and we are held accountable.

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12 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3346

12 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3346

Ziba answered the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet."

2 Samuel 9:3b 

So Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's sons.

2 Samuel 9:11b 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

2 Samuel 9:1-13 tells a story that reveals the tender heart and generous spirit of King David towards a disabled man who was the son of his friend Jonathan and the grandson of his bitter enemy, Saul. David and his servants paid no special attention to Mephibosheth's handicap when welcoming him as a member of the family. Mephibosheth must have been understandably uneasy when he was brought before the king without knowing what kind of treatment he was going to receive. Out of compassion and loyalty, though, David restored Mephibosheth's inheritance, giving him a permanent place of honour at the king's table. Mephibosheth was treated no differently than one of David's own royal sons!

esus commissions us, "When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed." (Luke 14:13-14a) Therefore, as Christians, let us be accepting of one another, recognizing the God-given value in each of us. Let us also take advantage of the opportunities God gives us to minister to others and to reach out to those in need, including those with disabilities. David, truly a man after God's own heart, provides a beautiful model for us of God's mercy and love. This is the heart of the gospel. This is our calling in Christ Jesus.

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11 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3345

11 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3345

Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Ephesians 6:13 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Sometimes, we experience difficult times to increase our faith. I guess it is a part of the growing process! We call upon God's presence in us to protect us and to guide our minds, hands, and feet. The more we avail ourselves of God's help, the more we can rest in His tender care, wherever that leads us -- lion's den, battlefield, or bed.

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10 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3344

10 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3344

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

Genesis 9:13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Today, we may say, write, or do something that we might later regret. It may hurt or disappoint other people. It may offend and annoy God. Yet, at the end of the day, we will be given another opportunity to confess, another chance to get it right, another rainbow of redemption to correct our character, cleanse our soul, and be restored to God's favour through Jesus Christ. If we don't take it for granted, we will also marvel at the beauty and wonder of His grace.

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09 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3343

09 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3343

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.

Malachi 4:2 -

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God's promise of healing is available for all of us who love and revere His name. Like the sun sending its beams of light, Jesus, the Son of Righteousness, eliminates the darkness and gloom with the brightness of His glory.

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08 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3342

08 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3342

                           

If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever -- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 

John 14:15-18 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Christ is always with us through His Spirit, who draws us out of ourselves and carries us through the grief and sorrow, the loneliness and confusion of this world, and all it can hurl at us. His Spirit reminds us daily as we seek to love and obey Him, "P.S. I love you!" And when we know we are loved so dearly, we, like the early disciples, will always have the strength to move ahead and live life to its fullest.

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07 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3341

07 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3341

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 23:6 

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

Hebrews 12:28 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The climax in our life's journey is to live in the house of the Lord forever. This journey, here on earth, is the preliminary walk, where we follow Jesus and prepare to enter the final door. 

Every time we assist our weaker sister or brother, we are closer to fully loving and living as Christ would have us live.When we live in the goodness and love of Christ, we are moving closer to the heavenly realm.

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06 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3340

06 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3340

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Isaiah 30:21 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

How marvellous that God loves and cares for each one of us so much that He makes a point of speaking to us in ways that we can hear and understand, in ways that help keep us safe and well when we listen and obey: safe from making wrong and hurtful decisions, safe from speaking sharp and cutting words, safe from the sting and burn of sin.

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05 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3339

05 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3339

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 

2 Corinthians 4:18 

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life

1 John 5:13 

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

Romans 10:9-11 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Once we have accepted Jesus into our hearts, we are justified and sealed by the Holy Spirit, and our names are written down in the Lamb's Book of Life.

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04 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3338

04 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3338

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Matthew 13:45-46 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

In contrast to the gems that are precious to us, how much more are we precious to the Lord who has given His life for us. The parable in today's Scripture reveals the costly beauty and value of the Gospel to all those who believe and are made righteous through the precious sacrifice of Jesus. It is His gift that makes us so special.

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03 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3337

03 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3337

Jesus said, "Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."

Matthew 7:24-25 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus' teachings are foundational for meaningful lives, lives rich in peace, humility, forgiveness, and grace, with a love of neighbour and self. Many people are drawn to other ways of life, ways that one might argue have a strong foundation, but Christ's way cannot be improved upon.

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02 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3336

02 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3336

"Yet when planted, [a mustard seed] grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

Mark 4:32-34 

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables, he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world." 

Matthew 13:34 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Faith in Him changes our lives for the better! It is like the water in the soil that determines our growth.

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01 Oct 2014 Thoughts#3335

01 Oct 2014

Thoughts#3335

Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for."

 Matthew 26:50a 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Whatever burdens we are carrying, whatever past failures there have been in our lives, whatever mistakes we have made or disappointments that we have created, know this: Jesus can forgive them all because no matter what we have thought, said, or done, He is still willing to call us "Friend".

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