I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:12-13
Thought For Today
It takes spiritual maturity to know how to trust God in the bad times as well as the good. When things are not going well, God is good, and He can be trusted. When things are going fantastic, remember God is still the source of all that we have and all we have received. Do not forget to trust Him in both circumstances.
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
I Peter 5:10
Thought For Today
Today’s verse is a prayer, “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” I Peter 5:10
The first part of the prayer is that your suffering will only last a little while. The next part of the prayer is that the result will be that you ended up stronger, settled and perfected on the solid foundation of who you are in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is your rock in all circumstances.
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Thought For Today
The apostles knew adversity. Even when they were “hemmed in” on every side, they experienced complete freedom in the strength and power of God. When they were “perplexed” or unsure what the next day might bring, they were not in despair because they knew God was able to support, provide for and deliver His children no matter what came their way.
Whatever adversity you may be facing today, know that God is your ultimate source of strength, provision, and protection in all circumstances.
This Week’s Theme – Love God and Love Your Neighbor
October 12, 2018
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32
Thought For Today
Do you struggle with ongoing resentment and ill feelings against others? Does that tend to lead to talking about this with friends in a way that stirs up anger inside you? Our verse today is a reminder to get to the end of this bondage once and for all.
You can forgive. You can let go and allow God to heal past hurts completely. If you tend to hold on to the pain of wrongful acts, it will lead to bitterness, anger and a lack of joy. Forgive as Christ forgave you.
This Week’s Theme – Love God and Love Your Neighbor
October 11, 2018
And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:30-31
Thought For Today
The fuel that ignites all other goals, desires, and commitments for life comes from our love for God. If you learn to love Him above all else, you will move through each day with a clear focus. You will not be confused by all the distractions of the world. It is from this heart of love for God above all else, we have the capacity to love others deeply.
So he answered and said, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 10:27
Thought For Today
Jesus gave a clear message of the priorities we should have to be all God wants us to be. Of all things God commands, it can be summed up in these two commands. Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.
Love God with heartfelt love, a love that understands that all you are and all you have is because of Him. Love Him with all your strength. It is a strong love that supersedes all other commitments. Love God with an intelligent love (with all your mind). And because of a clear understanding of all that God is to you, take that truth and choose to love others as yourself knowing that this love is life-changing.
Jesus said to him, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 22:37-39
Thought For Today
My wife, Jennifer and I have been in Lexington and Corbin, Kentucky today participating in meetings for the start-up of a new mentoring program for youth here in the Corbin community.
The commitment of the church community and dedicated believers who want to see kids lives changed is profoundly moving.
Mike Duffy, of the Gene Duffy Family Foundation, shared this story with us last night. It fits well with today’s verse. I hope you will take a few minutes and watch this short video.
Hear me, O LORD, for Your lovingkindness is good; Turn to me according to the multitude of Your tender mercies.
Psalm 69:16
Thought For Today
Our attitude about God when we pray does make a difference. Have you ever approached someone with a lousy attitude and received a less than desired response? If you approach God with a negative opinion about Him, about His character, and even wonder whether He has a kind spirit, you might be disappointed with the outcome of that prayer.
The verse today focuses on the truth about God’s character. “Hear me, O LORD, for Your lovingkindness is good; Turn to me according to the multitude of Your tender mercies.” Psalm 69:16
This attitude says God is full of loving-kindness, He is good, and He responds to our needs with a multitude of tender mercies. He is full of compassion, and He has proven it over and over with His loving mercy in the past. His supply of mercy and kindness will never run dry, so go to Him with full confidence in a loving, merciful Father, who is ready to hear your request today.
LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear.
Psalm 10:17
Thought For Today
God is the same as He has always been. You can take great comfort in this. Since he has been so responsive to the prayers of the humble in the past, you can be sure He still responds with a listening ear when we come humbly to him.
Here are three truths for today about how he hears our prayers.
1. God prepares our heart for effective prayer. God is the one who conditions our heart for humility. Be open to His work in your life today to get rid of pride and come before Him with a humble heart.
2. God protects the innocent. When we come to Him in humility, we can be sure, He hears us, and He moves with great strength to protect the innocent, the fatherless, and the oppressed.
3. God pleads our case and puts an end to our persecutors. He is a deliverer of victory and a restorer to all we’ve lost in our life.
Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.
Psalm 55:17
Thought For Today
How much do you pray? If you are like me, you are probably thinking, “Not enough.” Why don’t we pray more? I’d say our most common excuses are…
I don’t have enough time.
I don’t know what to say.
I’m not sure He hears me.
I’m not sure it will make much difference.
I don’t want to “bother” God with my needs.
I don’t deserve His help because I’m not a very good Christian.
Do any of these sound familiar? Well, ultimately we have to differentiate between the truth and the lies we believe. Take another look at the list. None of these are true. And understand this once and for all, God loves to hear from you, and He cares deeply about having an ongoing conversation with you. Start talking to Him in the morning, at noon, and at night.
But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to Him.
Psalm 4:3
Thought For Today
God has set apart those who have chosen Him, those who have chosen to live godly. To persecute God’s children is to harass God Himself. His children have an inheritance in heaven, and He pays attention when we call upon Him. If you had the ear of a king, wouldn’t that be amazing? Well, you have the ear of the King of Kings. He hears you when you call on Him.
As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
Proverbs 27:17
Thought For Today
Iron sharpens iron. The challenge today is to understand the power of relationships, especially in our conversations. Your willingness to be engaged in a lively discussion can have a profound impact on a friend. The influence to think Biblically, commit to holiness, and be more committed to Christ, are all outcomes of your willingness to be a communicator.
You can also have a profound influence on your friend’s life in wrong thinking through the words you speak.
In the same way, iron coming into contact with another piece iron can be a sharpening experience, your conversations with a friend can sharpen thinking for good or evil.
