Think T's Thoughts

God's amazing grace

2008-12-09T10:41:00.000-08:00

GRACE UPON GRACE

"I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens." Phil. 4:11

"Test this question: What if God's only gift to you were His grace to save you. Would you be content? You beg Him to save the life of your child. You plead with Him to keep your business afloat. You implore Him to remove the cancer from your body. What if His answer is, "My grace is enough." Would you be content?

You see, from heaven's perspective, grace is enough. If God did nothing more than save us from hell, could anyone complain?....Having been given eternal life, dare we grumble at an aching body? Having been given heavenly riches, dare we bemoan earthly poverty?....

If you have eyes to read these words, hands to hold this book, the means to own this volume, He has already given you grace upon grace."

Taken from the devotional book, Grace for the Moment, by Max Lucado. This particular quote is from his book, In the Grip of His Grace.

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"Knowing God's Will"

2008-07-13T05:20:00.001-07:00

"We learn God's will by spending time in His presence. The key to knowing God's heart is having a relationship with Him. A personal relationship. God will speak to you differently than He will speak to others. Just because God spoke to Moses through a burning bush, that doesn't mean we should sit next to a bush waiting for God to speak. God used a fish to convict Jonah. Does that mean we should have a worship service at Sea World? No. God reveals his heart personally to each person.

For that reason, your walk with God is essential. His heart is not seen in an occasional chat or weekly visit. We learn His will as we take up residence in His house every single day....

Walk with Him long enough and you come to know His heart."

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God is Sovereign over everything!

2008-04-17T07:26:00.001-07:00

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thess. 5:18)

"The basis for a thankful heart in all circumstances is the assurance that God is in sovereign control. (Eph. 1:11; Rom. 8:28)"

Dennis Fisher in The Daily Bread

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God loves us more than we can imagine

2008-04-10T20:30:00.000-07:00

"It's usually through our hard times, the unexpected and not-according-to-plan times, that we experience God in more intimate ways. We discover an unquenchable longing to know Him more. It's a passion that isn't concerned that life fall within certain predictable lines, but a passion that pursues God and knows He is relentless in His pursuit of each one of us."

Taken from "365 Day Brighteners, God's Celebrating Grace"

A life lived by faith is a life that's pleasing to God.

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God Is Always With Us

2008-03-04T05:34:00.000-08:00

"God walks with us...He scoops us up in His arms or simply sits with us in silent strength until we cannot avoid the awesome recognition that yes, even now (emphasis mine), He is here."

Gloria Gaither

"Yet I am with you; you hold me by my right hand."

Psalm 73:23

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God's Good Timing

2008-01-16T13:35:00.001-08:00

"God will always give what is right to His people who cry to Him night and day and He will not be slow to answer them." Luke 18:7 (my note-God's timing...not ours!)

Why does God wait until the money is gone? Why does He wait until the sickness has lingered? Why does He choose to wait until the other side of the grave to answer the prayers for healing?

I don't know. I only know His timing is always right. I can only say He will do what is best...

Though you hear nothing, He is speaking. Though you see nothing, He is acting. With God there are no accidents. Every incident is intended to bring us closer to Him.

Taken from Grace for the Moment devotional

A Gentle Thunder, by Max Lucado

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TOTAL TRUST

2007-11-19T05:37:00.001-08:00

From "The Ragamuffin Gospel", by Brennan Manning...

"Just as the sunrise of faith requires the sunset of our former unbelief, so the dawn of trust requires letting go of our craving spiritual consolations and tangible reassurances. Trust at the mercy of the response it receives is a bogus trust. All is uncertainty and anxiety. In trembling insecurity the disciple pleads for proofs from the Lord that his affection is returned. If he does not receive them, he is frustrated and starts to suspect that his relationship with Jesus is all over or that it never even existed.

If he does receive consolation, he is reassured but only for a time. He presses for further proofs--each one less convincing than the one that went before. In the end the need to trust dies of pure frustration. What the disciple has not learned is that tangible reassurances, however valuable they may be, cannot create trust, sustain it, or guarantee any certainty of its presence. Jesus calls us to hand over our autonomous self in unshaken confidence. When the craving for reassurances is stifled, trust happens."

("she" was changed to "he", but obviously this applies to both genders)

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A CRISP VIEW OF GOD

2007-10-25T11:52:00.001-07:00

"Lord, even when I have trouble all around me, you will save me." Psalm 138:7

There is a window in your heart through which you can see God. Once upon a time that window was clear. Your view of God was crisp. You could see God as vividly as you could see a gentle valley or hillside.

Then, suddenly, the window cracked. A pebble broke the window. A pebble of pain (or other trials).

And suddenly God was not so easy to see. The view that had been so crisp had changed.

You were puzzled. God wouldn't allow something like this to happen, would He?

When you can't see Him, trust Him...Jesus is closer than you've ever dreamed."

In the Eye of the Storm, by Max Lucado

God is faithful despite what we feel. It's a matter of living by faith and not by sight or by feelings. We KNOW that, according to His Word, He will accomplish ALL that concerns us, but usually not in our timing. Remember that His timing is perfect...we need to trust Him totally & completely!

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GOD, OUR DEFENDER

2007-09-04T04:53:00.001-07:00

"He is my defender, I will not be defeated."

"Here is a big question. What is God doing when you are in a bind? When the lifeboat springs a leak? When the rip cord snaps? When the last penny is gone before the last bill is paid?...

I know what we are doing. Nibbling on nails like corn on the cob. Pacing floors. Taking pills...

But, what does God do?...

He fights for us. he steps into the ring and points us to our corner and takes over. "Remain calm; the Lord will fight for you" (Exodus 14:14).

His job is to fight. Our job is to trust.

Just trust. Not direct. Or question....Our job is to pray and wait."

Taken from Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado

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QUOTES

2007-09-04T04:45:00.001-07:00

"Worry about nothing, but pray about everything."

"If we are in financial trouble, and are tithers, we are in covenant with God."

"When all hope is gone you need to keep hoping in faith!"

"God will turn our test into testimony if we remain with Him and keep our eyes on Him."

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SOME GREAT QUOTES

2007-08-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

Some great quotes from my Pastor during his messages on Jesus' miracles the past couple of weeks...

"The path He leads you down may be more difficult, but it'll always be better! It ultimately gets better, but not usually right away."

"The Chinese character for 'crisis' is Danger......and.....Opportunity."

"We are to be stubbornly faithful to God!"

"In a storm the wind will not die down until we invite Him into the boat with us."

"Storms give us a chance to trust."

"We are to follow Jesus because we want to be useful to Him, not because we want Him to be useful to us!"

"God is seldom early, but He is always on time." His time...not ours!

"The little boy who gave Jesus his lunch...a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish...entrusted Jesus with ALL he had. He gave all he had to Him who gives so much. Who's holding what you have? The little boy had very little to give, but it was a lot in the hands of Jesus! What we have must be placed in the hands of Jesus and watch what He will do with it!"

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MAY WE BE FAITH-FILLED

2007-07-26T05:07:00.001-07:00

Romans 12:1 says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God....this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is....His good, pleasing and perfect will."

Naturally, since we live here on this earth, we are surrounded by the things of this world each & every moment of every day. To be able to think as Christ thinks, rather than to think like the world, it is SO important to fill our minds daily with the Words of God. Reading & studying His Word helps us to be

faith-filled!

How we need to fill up each day with His promises in His Word! We need to continuously be reminded of His faithfulness to the generations past and keep our eyes on Him....not on the things of the world. He will sometimes bring us to a place in our life where we are emptied of everything so that we will look to Him, the author & perfecter of our faith.

He is our Heavenly Father & loves us more than we can imagine. He is a faithful God who cares about our every need. When we can't see that or we don't feel that, we need to live by faith...and that's the thing that pleases Him.

"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." Hebrews 11:1

May we be commended for doing the same.

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Thank you Lord

2007-07-18T05:20:00.001-07:00

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

Praise you, Lord, that you have shown me the way to eternal life through Jesus Christ! I feel SO blessed and humbled that you would, not only show me the Way, but also walk with me each day as I seek you for direction. What comfort there is in knowing, for a fact, that we are just passing through this life on our way to an eternity with you!

Thank you that you began eternity in my heart the moment I received Jesus as my Savior, and your eternal pleasures have begun in my life already! Help me to keep my eyes focused on you and the promises of your Word so that I may enjoy those eternal pleasures right now. Praise you Lord!

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GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY

2007-07-01T07:54:00.001-07:00

I am convinced of God's sovereignty over every aspect of our lives. How freeing it is to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that God is in control and I am not. Without realizing that, how could we ever believe His promises to us and trust Him to work all things for our good?

Acts 17:26b says (speaking of those He has created) "He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live". How much more do we need to convince us of His sovereign will over our lives? Let's place our faith & trust in Him knowing that He's in control and He will only allow those things in our lives for our good...to grow us in the areas we need growth and, most importantly...to grow us in faith in a faithful God!

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The Cure for Disappointment

2007-06-15T03:45:00.001-07:00

"I am the Lord, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me." Jeremiah 32:17

We need to hear that God is still in control. We need to hear that it's not over until He says so. We need to hear that life's mishaps and tragedies are not a reason to bail out. They are simply a reason to sit tight.

Corrie ten Boom used to say, "When the train goes through a tunnel and the world gets dark, do you jump out? Of course not. You sit still and trust the engineer to get you through."...

The way to deal with discouragement? The cure for disappointment? Go back and read the story of God. Read it again and again. Be reminded that you aren't the first person to weep. And you aren't the first person to be helped.

Read the story and remember...the story is yours!

Taken from Max Lucado's "He Still Moves Stones"

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God's Comfort

2007-05-31T07:01:00.001-07:00

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." NIV

"When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer." NLT

Psalm 94:19

God's comfort brings joy, hope, and cheer!

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KEEPING POSSESSIONS IN PERSPECTIVE

2007-05-21T04:49:00.001-07:00

How important are material possessions? Not as important as we might think. In the life of committed Christians, material possessions should play a rather small role. Of course, we all need the basic necessities of life, but once we meet those needs for ourselves and for our families, the piling up of possessions creates more problems than it solves. Our real riches, of course, are not of this world. We are never really rich until we are rich in spirit.

Martin Luther observed, "Many things I have tried to grasp and have lost. That which I have placed in God's hands I still have." His words apply to all of us. Our earthly riches are transitory, our spiritual riches are not.

Do you find yourself wrapped up in the concerns of the material world? If so, it's time to reorder your priorities by turning your thoughts and your prayers to more important matters. And, it's time to begin storing up riches that will endure throughout eternity: the spiritual kind.

Remember...everything we have is on loan from God. Corrie ten Boom observed, "I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess." Our real riches are in heaven, so let's conduct ourselves accordingly...and teach our children to do likewise.

Taken from "A Mother's Guide to the Ten Commandments"

"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" Luke 12:34

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I chose to trust you, Lord!

2007-05-18T09:23:00.001-07:00

God has a marvelous way of teaching us the things He wants us to learn. May we listen to Him and be open for all that He has for us, according to His perfect plan and will for our lives. Many times we don't understand His ways, but we need to remember that His ways are much, much higher than our ways.

He knows what's best for us and will sometimes allow those things which are very difficult for us to pass through to come into our lives to grow us spiritually and esp. to grow us in faith & trust.

When we can see His hand in our lives we don't have to live by faith, but it's when we can't see Him or answers to our prayers that we have to live by faith...either that or give in to the tools of the devil...discouragement and despair.

God is working on our behalf.....ALL the time!! We can believe that because we have the promises of His Word...."I will never leave you or forsake you", "ALL things work together for the good of those who love me and are called according to my purpose", etc.

We must be, and can be, "content in whatever circumstances He is allowing us to go through" because "we can do all things through Him who gives us strength".

Thank you, Lord, that, even though I don't always understand your ways I can totally trust you because your very nature is love and faithfulness!!

Someday I'll understand why...

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God loves you beyond measure!

2007-05-14T05:03:00.001-07:00

"For we walk by faith, not by sight". 2 Corinthians 5:7

You are precious in the eyes of God. You are His priceless creation, made in His image, and protected by Him. God watches over every step you make and every breath you take, so you need never be afraid. But sometimes, fear has a way of slipping into the minds and hearts of even the most devout believers. You are no exception.

On occasion, you will confront circumstances that trouble you to the very core of your soul. When you are afraid, trust in God. When you are worried, turn your concerns over to Him. When you are anxious, be still and listen for the quiet assurance of God's promises. And then, place your life in His hands. He is your shepherd today and throughout eternity. Trust the Shepherd.

One of the most important lessons that you can ever learn is to trust God for everything...not some things, not most things....everything!

taken from "A Mother's Guide to the Ten Commandments"

a quote-worthy quote by Paula Rinehart..."A major turning point in my life came when I realized that being able to trust God is grounded in staking the whole of my being on the reality that He loves me."

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God's in Charge

2007-05-06T05:46:00.001-07:00

God's Spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

Satan has no power except that which God gives him.

To the first-century church in Smyrna, Christ said, "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer for ten days. But be faithful, even if you have to die, and I will give you the crown of life". Rev. 2:10

Analyze Jesus' words for a minute. Christ informs the church of the persecution, the duration of the persecution (ten days), the reason for the persecution (to test you), and the outcome of the persecution (a crown of life). In other words, Jesus uses Satan to fortify his church...

Even when Satan appears to win, he loses! (emphasis mine)

Taken from "The Great House of God" by Max Lucado

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I chose to trust you Lord...no matter what!!

2007-05-03T06:09:00.001-07:00

Sometimes we just can't see what God is doing in our lives....

We can't understand why He's not answering our prayers...

It seems He isn't listening or just doesn't care...

But, in the meantime, while we're struggling with the load He's apparently placed on our shoulders, He's whispering to us, "My child I love you more than you can imagine....so much so that I died for you. Place the load you are carrying at my feet...don't worry....I'll take care of it!

Don't you think that I know your every need, and don't you think that I will supply your every need according to my riches in glory? The love I have for you far exceeds the love you have for your children, so please believe me when I say that I'm working all things out in your life for your good according to my perfect will and plan for you because I absolutely know what's best for you at this time in your life.

Trust me as you've never trusted before...

Place your faith in Me, for I am your all knowing, all loving, all caring Father, even when you don't see the answers to your prayers, or feel like I'm answering, since it's that leap of faith that pleases me.

Jump into My loving arms knowing that I will catch you & not let you fall, just as you would catch your child when, he/she jumps into your arms with abandon, knowing that you would never, never allow them to fall."

Today, chose to take up the shield of faith which will extinguish all the fiery darts of the evil one. By doing this, the attack of the world, the flesh, and the Devil will fall flat against this defensive gear.

It's your choice.

Thank you, Lord, for your promise to keep me in perfect peace IF I keep my mind stayed on you. Thank you that I can trust in you forever, for you, Lord, are the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3

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God's Mountains

2007-05-03T05:50:00.001-07:00

"My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you." 2 Cor. 12:9

There are certain mountains only God can climb...

It's not that you aren't welcome to try, it's just that you aren't able...

If the word Savior is in your job description, it's because you put it there. Your role is to help the world, not save it. Mount Messiah is one mountain you weren't made to climb.

Nor is Mount Self-Sufficient. You aren't able to run the world, nor are you able to sustain it. Some of you think you can. You are self-made. You don't bow your knees, you just roll up your sleeves and put in another twelve-hour day...which may be enough when it comes to making a living or building a business. But when you face your own grave or your own guilt, your power will not do the trick.

Taken from "The Great House of God" by Max Lucado

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Redeem the Time!

2007-04-26T05:45:00.000-07:00

A few words from a pastor during a Wed. night service concerning the fields being white unto harvest (John 4:31-38)

God's Word says "He who wins souls is wise". So, in that being said (by God)...

We must win the lost no matter the cost!

See others with the eyes of Jesus!

Stop looking down at our stuff and start looking up and allow Jesus to look through our eyes toward the needs of others....esp. their need of salvation through our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ!

Remember....only what's done for the Lord will last for eternity so we must start agreeing with what God is saying and stop our unbelieving!

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Give Me More!

2007-04-25T05:36:00.001-07:00

And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" Luke 17:5

Increase – If I just had more faith! If I could only believe more! Then, all that I wish to accomplish could be done. Then I could really see things happen.

If you've never had these thoughts, then you are truly sanctified. Go out and move mountains. But if you're like the apostles (did you notice that Luke does not say "disciples"), then you will probably come to Jesus, asking Him to do the work for you. "Just give me more faith, Lord, and then I can do Your will."

The Greek is the verb prostithemi. It means "to add to." You'll find it in Acts 2:47 when many believers were added to the church. Here, of course, the apostles (the sent ones) are crying out to Jesus to add to their faith. "Give us the magic potion that will somehow make us believe." "You believe, Lord. Make us just like you!"

Jesus answers them, but not the way they expect. He tells them a story about a slave. Go ahead in read it (Luke 17:7-10). The point of the story is that the master expects the slave's obedience. The master does not treat the slave as though he were a nobleman. He calls the slave, who has been working all day in the fields, to come and serve him at the table. He does not call the slave to feast at the table. And when the slave does all that he should do, the reward is simply this: "I am an unworthy slave and have done only what was expected of me."

What a strange answer to a request for more faith! But wait, maybe it isn't so strange. What it tells us is that faith is not something I am given as a reward. It is not something given as a sign of privilege. Faith comes by obedience – and obedience is expected!

God will never increase your faith. He will simply give you more to do. If you obey Him, you will discover that your obedience is the faith you desired. If you do not obey Him, you will soon feel the need for supplements in your faith diet. To request an increase in faith is to ask for the opportunity to be more obedient. God will answer. Be prepared. But He will not answer with greater feelings of power and confidence. He will not answer with bursts of joy or a flood of conviction. He will simply ask that after you have plowed the field all day, you come and serve Him at the table.

"Increase our faith!" Yes, Lord, please do so. Give us more and more to handle. Overwhelm us with needs. Open our eyes to the desperate, the sick, the poor. Bring us to the place of submissive service to others, for we are unworthy servants and do only what is expected of us.

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Why is this happening Lord?

2007-04-10T04:47:00.000-07:00

"Tell me what charges you have against me." Job 10:2

"O tested soul, perhaps the Lord is sending you through this trial to develop your gifts. You have some gifts that would never have been discovered if not for trials. Do you not know that your faith never appears as great in the warm summer weather as it does during a cold winter? Your love is all too often like a firefly, showing very little light except when surrounded by darkness. And hope is like the stars...unseen in the sunshine of prosperity and only discovered during a night of adversity. Afflictions are often the dark settings God uses to mount the jewels of His children's gifts, causing them to shine even brighter.

Wasn't it just a short time ago that on your knees you prayed, "Lord, I seem to have no faith. Please show me that I do"? Wasn't your prayer, even though you may not have realized it at the time, actually asking for trials? For how can you know if you have faith, until your faith is exercised? You can depend upon the fact that God often sends trials so our gifts may be discovered and so we may be certain of their existence. And there is more than just discovering our gifts...we experience real growth in grace as another result of our trials being sanctified by Him.

God trains His soldiers not in tents of ease and luxury but by causing them to endure lengthy marches and difficult service. He makes them wade across streams, swim through rivers, climb mountains, and walk many tiring miles with heavy backpacks.

Dear Christian, could this not account for the troubles you are now experiencing? Could this not be the reason He is dealing with you? Charles H. Spurgeon

Being left alone by Satan is not evidence of being blessed."

Steams in the Desert, April 10th

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WHY DID HE DO IT?

2007-04-08T05:33:00.001-07:00

"Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love." Ephesians 3:19

"It wasn't right that spikes pierced the hands that formed the earth. And it wasn't right that the Son of God was forced to hear the silence of God.

It wasn't right, but it happened.

For while Jesus was on the cross, God sat on his hands. He turned his back. He ignored the screams of the innocent.

He sat in silence while the sins of the world were placed upon his Son. And he did nothing while a cry a million times bloodier than John's echoed in the black sky; "My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?"

Was it right? No.

Was it fair? No.

Was it love? Yes."

Max Lucado

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Let's Not Wait Until We are at the End of Our Strength To Utilize God's Power...

2007-03-22T14:07:00.001-07:00

From Beth Moore’s Study Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy:

“One of Satan’s most effective schemes is simply to wear God’s people out. Satan uses exhaustion and profound discouragement to persuade us to give up opposing him. We must not give up! As believers in Christ in whom the Spirit of God dwells, Satan may be able to wear out our human strength, but he cannot wear out the Holy Spirit’s. We can call upon God’s supernatural strength to fight the good fight of faith and persist in our proclamation of Christ, the son of the Most High God.

The Apostle Paul said in Colossians 1:29, “To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me” (emphasis Beth’s). We who are Christians have God’s “all surpassing power” in our “jars of Clay” (2 Cor. 4:7). Let’s not wait until we are at the end of our strength to utilize it! Let’s call on God to fill us with His all surpassing power day in and day out. His “incomparably great power” is accessible daily for those who believe! This power is the same power He used to raise Jesus from the dead (see Eph. 1:19-20).

What more could we need?”

AMEN!

Trials and Triumph

2007-03-21T06:02:00.000-07:00

When we go through trials let's remember 2 Corinthians 4:16, 17 & 18...

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 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."

As Beth Moore says, "When we're going through difficulties, they never seem light or momentary, but remember Paul is comparing them to 'an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.' "

Also, remember that when we receive Christ as our Savior, we ignite the ire of His enemy, satan. Ephesians 6:12 tells us that we're in a spiritual battle between God & satan and that's why we need to apply the strong armor of God in Ephesians 6:13-18 each morning to protect our minds and hearts against the attack of the enemy throughout the day ahead.

The battle is that God wants to give us eternal victory by working His glory in and through our trials and satan wants to bring us defeat by causing us to struggle and fall. Beth Moore puts it this way, "Hardships are inevitable because of the glorious nature of God and the heinous nature of satan."

"Recognizing the inevitable nature of hardships can motivate us to redirect our energies. Fear of trials sometimes depletes more energy than facing trials! Once we accept the inevitability of hardship, we can redirect our focus from fear of trials to faithfulness. In the face of tribulations, we often sense a heavenly strength filling our souls right on time."

Let's allow God to redirect our energies toward getting to know Him and love Him through His Word, so we can be equipped for anything that comes our way.

I think that if God had not taught me to rely on the promises of His Word and made Himself the love of my life, I would have been tempted to quit when facing certain trials.

Ask God to help you redirect your energies toward faithfulness instead of fear or worry about what is happening in your life or as to what might happen. HE is in control and we can trust Him 100%!!

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FAITH

2007-03-19T04:40:00.001-07:00

"I trust in your Word" Psalm 119:42

The strength of our faith is in direct proportion to our level of belief that God will do exactly what He has promised. Faith has nothing to do with feelings, impressions, outward appearances, nor the probability or improbability of an event. If we try to couple these things with faith, we are no longer resting on the Word of God, because faith is not dependent on them. Faith rests on the pure Word of God alone. And when we take Him at His Word, our hearts are at peace.

God delights in causing us to exercise our faith. He does so to bless us individually, to bless the church at large, and as a witness to unbelievers. Yet we tend to retreat from the exercising of our faith instead of welcoming it. When trials come, our response should be, "My heavenly Father has placed this cup of trials into my hands so I may later have something pleasant."

Trials are the food of faith. Oh, may we leave ourselves in the hands of our Heavenly Father! It is the joy of His heart to do good to all His children. Yet trials and difficulties are not the only way faith is exercised and thereby increased. Reading the Scriptures also acquaints us with God as He has revealed Himself in them.

Are you able to genuinely say, from your knowledge of God and your relationship with Him, that He is indeed a beautiful Being? If not, let me graciously encourage you to ask God to take you to that point, so you will fully appreciate His gentleness and kindness, so you will be able to say just how good He is, and so you will know what a delight it is to God's heart to do good for His children.

The closer we come to this point in our inner being, the more willing we are to leave ourselves in His hands and the more satisfied we are with all of His dealings with us. Then when trials come, we will say, 'I will patiently wait to see the good God will do in my life, with the calm assurance He will do it."

In this way, we will bear a worthy testimony to the world and thereby strengthen the lives of others.

George Mueller (taken from Streams in the Desert, April 15th)

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Thought for the day

2007-03-16T06:20:00.000-07:00

"True conversion is not simply believing in Jesus. James 2:19 tells us even the demons believe. We can believe Christ is the Son of God, be convinced He died and rose again for the sins of mankind, and still be lost. That's head knowledge.

When I personalize Christ's gift of grace on the cross, I am saved. That's heart knowledge.

One difference between the head and the heart lies in the word "turn". Head knowledge doesn't always change a thing. Heart knowledge does. Life turns at that moment. We can't just go back to living as if nothing ever happened. The externals may evolve more slowly as we break habits and alter lifestyles, but the internals change instantaneously. Life takes an inevitable turn."

Christian....a label that the unbelievers in Antioch adopted for followers of Christ. They used the term as a mockery...it was a word associated with "ridicule". How beautiful that God stole the victory from satan. The very word used as a mockery became the greatest privilege a man could boast!

We can, and should, praise God that we carry the name "Christian".

Taken from Beth Moore's study, To Live Is Christ....The Life and Ministry of Paul

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Heaven's On Your Side

2007-03-14T04:24:00.001-07:00

Taken from Max Lucado's devotional...

"The One who died for us...is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us."

Romans 8:34 MSG

Jesus is praying for us....Jesus has spoken and satan has listened. The devil may land a punch or two. He may even win a few rounds, but he never wins the fight. Why? Because Jesus takes up for you..."He is able always to save those who come to God through Him because He always lives, asking God to help them." (Hebrews 7:25)

Jesus, at this very moment, is protecting you. Evil must pass through Christ before it can touch you. And God will "never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it". (1 Cor. 10:13 MSG)

Praise God we can ALWAYS trust Him to work ALL things together for good to those of us who love Him and are called according to His purpose!! That's a promise from the maker of the universe Himself...our Creator...and it's impossible for Him to lie, so we KNOW that it's a FACT!!

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FAITH

2007-03-05T05:16:00.001-08:00

Faith came singing into my room, and other guests took flight. Grief, anxiety, fear and gloom, sped out into the night. I wondered that such peace could be, but faith said gently, "don't you see, that they can never live with me?"

Lord, thank you that you do not ask a great faith, but faith in a GREAT GOD.

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WHEN THINKING

2007-03-01T06:44:00.001-08:00

A thought to ponder...

God tells us to "pray without ceasing", which we understand to mean talking to Him about everything, anywhere, and anytime....practicing His presence with us no matter where we are and no matter what we're doing.

But, how do we do that when we are thinking about an important matter that's on our mind? Consider applying what Frank C. Laubach suggests in a wonderful booklet he wrote, entitled, "Game with Minutes"...

"If you lean back and think about some problem deeply, how can you remember God? You can do it by forming a new habit. All thought employs silent words and is really conversation with your inner self. Instead of talking to yourself, you can now form the habit of talking to Christ.

Many who have tried this have found that we think so much better that we never want to try to think without Him again. We are helped if we imagine Him sitting in a chair beside us, talking with us. We say with our tongue what we think Christ might say in reply to our questions. Thus, we consult Christ about everything.

No practice we have ever found has held our thinking so uniformly high and wholesome as this making all thought a conversation with God."

Remember that 98% percent of our battles are fought right in our own mind! Just think what a difference it would make to transform our thinking patterns into a conversation with God. I believe that those battles would be defeated before they even began!! I'm going to begin implying that new way of thinking and I'll let you know how it goes in a future blog. Why don't you consider doing the same? You'd have nothing to lose but peace of mind to gain!!

" May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly
where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities
that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and
pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you
are a child of God. Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your
soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and
every one of us." Antonymous

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JOHN HAGEE: THE BIBLE IS NOT A GOOD BOOK

2007-02-28T19:51:00.000-08:00

A great quote from John Hagee...

paraphrased (holding Bible up):

"This is not a good book.

Gone With The Wind is a good book.

THIS is the one and only, infallible, everlasting, spirit-filled, perfect and Holy Word of the Living God."

PRAYER

2007-02-28T04:27:00.000-08:00

"Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in ALL (emphasis mine) circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 2 Thess 5:17.

How wonderful to KNOW that we can always be joyful because of all the Lord has done & is doing for us! We are SO blessed in so many ways, but esp. to know that the Lord is ALWAYS with us!

How wonderful to know that we can practice His presence throughout the day, being aware that He is continually and constantly surrounding us with His power, presence & provision. Praying w'o ceasing means lifting up our gratefulness, requests, asking forgiveness, etc. throughout the day, being aware that wherever we are, whatever we're doing, God is with us and we can, and should, talk to Him!

How wonderful to know that the Lord is working out His perfect will and plan in our lives and we can always trust Him to do what's best for us....for our good & for His glory! Praise His Holy Name!!

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10. How often do we take time out during our busy days to actually be still before the Lord. How can we get to know someone if we don't take time out to be with them and to talk to them? It's more important that we get to know God than anyone else in this whole world!!

What an awesome privilege & honor we have to be able to communicate with the Creator of the universe!!

Let's remember that prayer is the most powerful weapon we have against the enemy of our souls.

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JAMES CAMERON'S CLAIM OF JESUS CHRIST'S MORTALITY

2007-02-26T15:25:00.000-08:00

Excellent take on James Cameron's disgusting claim - from Gary Bauer...

Titanic Nonsense

James Cameron, the director of the movie blockbuster Titanic, and Canadian
Filmmaker Simcha Jacobovici held a press conference today claiming that a
burial cave discovered twenty-seven years ago near Jerusalem is the "family
tomb" of Jesus. They unveiled two "ossuaries," or bone boxes, which they
claim held the remains of Jesus, Mary, Joseph and two of Jesus's alleged
sons, one of whom he supposedly sired with Mary Magdalene. Oh yes, and
they also promoted their new Discovery Channel documentary, "The Lost Tomb
of Christ."

Neither Cameron nor Jacobovici are archaeologists. But Professor Amos
Kloner is one, and he oversaw the work on the tomb in 1980. His reaction
to the moviemakers' claims: "*it's impossible. It's nonsense." Kloner
adds, "There is no likelihood that Jesus and his relatives had a family
tomb. They were a Galilee family with no ties in Jerusalem."

In 1980, when the claims were first made that the ossuaries held Jesus'
"remains," Big Media around the world asserted that the finding challenged
the very basis of Christianity. Big media was wrong then, and they are
wrong now. Steven Pfann, a biblical scholar at the University of the Holy
Land in Jerusalem, was interviewed in the documentary and said the film's
hypothesis will hold little weight with most Christians. "I don't think
that Christians are going to buy into this. But skeptics, in general,
would like to see something that pokes holes into the story that so many
hold dear."

What has always been interesting to me is the delight some seem to receive
in trying to debunk what billions of people consider truth. Long after
James Cameron and Simcha Jacobovici are dead and forgotten, the Messiah
will continue to change hearts, save souls and shower on all who will
listen, "Amazing Grace."

QUOTE

2007-02-26T11:10:00.000-08:00

Quote from William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army...

"I am of the opinion that the chief dangers which confront the coming century (20th) will be religion without the Holy Spirit, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and heaven without hell."

Pretty wise man, wouldn't you say?

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BEYOND IMAGINATION

2007-02-21T04:24:00.001-08:00

"There are many rooms in my Father's mansion....I am going there to prepare a place for you." John 14:2

Rest on this earth is a false rest. Beware of those who urge you to find happiness here; you won't find it. Guard against the false physicians who promise that joy is only a diet away, a marriage away, a job away. or a transfer away...

Try this. Imagine a perfect world. Whatever that means to you, imagine it. Does that mean peace? Then envision absolute tranquility. does a perfect world imply joy? Then create your highest happiness. Will a perfect world have love? If so, ponder a place where love has no bounds. Whatever heaven means to you, imagine it. Get it firmly fixed in your mind...

And then smile as the Father reminds you, "No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him..."

When it comes to describing Heaven, we are all happy failures.

taken from When God Whispers Your Name, by Max Lucado

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SPIRITUAL BATTLE PROTECTION

2007-02-14T05:42:00.001-08:00

"Dear Lord,

Today I put on the helmet of salvation. Protect my mind from attacks by the Enemy, and give me sound thinking.

I put on the breastplate of righteousness. Guard my heart and emotions from assault and let me be governed, not by my emotions, but rather by the truth of Your Word.

I strap on the belt of truth. Wrap Your Word around...around the very core of my being. Protect me from error by keeping me in Your truth.

I step into the sandals of peace. Use me to take Your peace and Your hope into the world today, and let me stand firm in the face of any attack by the Enemy. By anchoring me in Your Word, enable me to keep my footing.

I take up the shield of faith. Let the attack of the world, the flesh, and the devil fall flat against this defensive gear.

Finally, I take up the sword of God, Your holy Word. Put your truth in my heart and mind in a fresh way, so that it is able to pierce the hearts and minds of those I encounter.

Be sure of this: you are stepping into a spiritual warzone today. Are you dressed for battle?"

In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley

GOD'S LOVE

2007-02-13T05:13:00.001-08:00

Let's remember this truth....

God loves and cares for us, even to the least event and smallest need of life.

Henry Edward Manning

"The Lord is....abounding in love...." Numbers 14:18

In knowing that, do we ever, ever have to worry about anything?! NO...absolutely not!!

"God is working ALL things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

FAITH

2007-02-11T12:13:00.001-08:00

We are to live by faith & not by sight since it's faith that pleases God.

Let's remember that only God can change the heart of someone we love & care about. It's our responsibility to get them in touch with Jesus...bring them to the cross by our prayers, actions, words & deeds....then pray that God will change their heart.

We can totally trust Him because He is faithful! It is His very essence! He hears & answers the cries of our heart, so He WILL bring to pass His perfect plan & will for their lives!

PRIORITIES

2007-02-10T18:46:00.001-08:00

As I pray for God to reveal more & more of Himself to me and to teach me to pray....really, really pray, not just popcorn prayers...He is showing me that my priorities are of utmost importance. For God to be first & foremost in my life there is nothing, absolutely nothing more important than spending time alone with Him, sitting at His feet, for Jesus tells us in Luke 10: 42 that only one thing is needed and that Mary chose what was better and that it wouldn't be taken away from her. I have found that the times I put Him first, before housework, checking email, eating, etc.

He redeems the time and that time spent with Him turns out to be the most beneficial part of my day and that all those other things are accomplished in a shorter time than normal or that I even am able to do a lot more than planned. God has a way of doing that! After all, He says, "But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you"!

God keeps His promises...we can count on that!! Now....I just need to step out on faith & to remember to apply to my life what I believe and have learned from experience!

A CHRISTIAN'S PERSPECTIVE ON THE GLOBAL WARMING DEBATE

2007-02-10T11:49:00.000-08:00

I believe this to be one of the best articulations of a proper Christian response to the raging "global warming" debate... and not just because the author is my pastor.

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING ... WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING!

2007-02-09T17:01:00.000-08:00

On your normally mundane drive for work, affix prayer requests to landmarks,stores, intersections (e.g. I pray for my mother's day each morning as I pass the lakeside condo we kayaked in front of!), etc. - this is a great way to start of your morning (or end your work day!) by incorporating repetitive
prayer requests into your travels. :-)

P.S. I think God will understand your unbowed head and open eyes if you utilize this prayer practice...

Are You Jesus?

2007-02-05T16:43:00.000-08:00

What would you would do?

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time > for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples.

Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding.

ALL BUT ONE !!! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.

He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.

He was glad he did. The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.

The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples , put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.

When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes.
She continued, "Are you Jesus?"

He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?" Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and intera ct with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.

If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually
living the Word as life unfolds day to day.

You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on a hill called
Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.

A Letter from God to His Children

2006-11-21T18:35:00.000-08:00

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are
taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't
actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of you're
predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a
time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered
anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily
understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your
own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My
birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me
go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene
depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen
and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My
followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the
town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday
tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can
& may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you
wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in
relation to you & what each of our tasks were. If you have forgot that
one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my
wish list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is
being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from
home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they
tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them
personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards
his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that
you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It
will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and
they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth,
and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and
remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own
life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't
know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile it
could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local
Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the
holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm
smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry
Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop
shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that
day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their
families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary,
especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never
heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals & whole families in your town
who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have
any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect
you don't) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the Marines, the
Salvation Army or some other charity that believes in Me & they will make
the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and
loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret
that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that
you are one of mine.

P.S. Don't forget; I am GOD and can take care of Myself. Just love Me &
do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out
the list above & get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball
is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those
whom you love and remember, I LOVE YOU.

SAVE THE JUDGESHIPS!!

2006-11-20T17:18:00.000-08:00

The subject of judicial tyranny was also the topic of Dr. James Dobson’s radio show today. His guest was Judge Charles Pickering, an outstanding jurist whose nomination to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals was “borked” by Senate liberals the last time they held the majority. Needless to say, Judge Pickering has some unique insights on the confirmation process and judicial activism. His conversation with Dr. Dobson will continue tomorrow, so please tune in for this important broadcast. For station listings or to listen online, visit Family.org

Welcome to the new ThinkTs blog...

2006-11-04T17:29:00.000-08:00

Thanks for visiting. Please pray for the new ThinkTs blog as a God-glorifying extension of the ThinkTs.com website.

Our aim is to plant the seeds of ministry by designing Christian t-shirts and spiritualy thought-provoking designs that give people pause - long enough to think about matters of eternal magnitude.