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True Thoughts

5/1/2025

TODAY’S VERSE
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
What we think can dictate the way we feel. Then our feelings affect our thinking and so the spiral goes. So much of what we believe at a rudiment level is false. Often, what we worry about, our self-talk, how we view ourselves, and our core beliefs about life are based on lies, half-truths, or erroneous assumptions. They enter our minds in stealth mode, and before we know it, we feel down. These lies go unchallenged and cause all sorts of havoc in our lives. Not only do we think of them, but we also make agreements with them. Soon, the stories we share over and over again about ourselves and life are based on these false beliefs. Paul says that there is a better way. He says we should bring these rogue thoughts to God. We must expose them to the light of the Holy Spirit and the word of God, which can guard our hearts and minds. In his book, “Learning To Tell Myself The Truth” William Backus shares, “Feelings follow your thoughts. Untruthful, negative thoughts lead to unpleasant feelings of anxiety, depression, or frustration, while truthful, positive thoughts create corresponding pleasant and upbeat feelings.—Your feelings can serve as an alarm to remind you to question your thoughts and beliefs. Are they negative or positive? Are they true or false? Once you’ve begun to identify the underlying thoughts and beliefs, you are on your way to healing, wholeness, and happiness.” Today, begin to follow Paul’s advice. When negative feelings come, “fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, You know my inner person. You hear my self talk better than I do. By the power of the Holy Spirit please alert me to my negative thinking and help me fix my thoughts on what is true. Help me think with faith in Your love and power, not damaging lies. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

Unconditional Love!!!

4/11/2025

TODAY’S VERSE
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
John 15:9 (NIV)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
I have had Christians chide me for my passion over the unconditional love of God. What about the Holiness of God, the part of God that hates sin? Yes, I understand that God is Holy and that we are sinners and He doesn’t have to love us at all – but He does. He chooses to. He sees my sin, and then He sees the sacrifice of His son. Jesus Himself said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” How much does the Holy Father love His only begotten? Can we fathom it? And Jesus makes only one request. That we understand it? That we rationalize it? That we argue over it? No, He asks us to remain in His love. Like myself, Brennan Manning taught for years about the love of God without personally understanding its depths. Manning speaks of his own awakening in his book, Abba’s Child. He writes, “I finally felt all the words I have written and spoken about stubborn, unrelenting love. That morning I understood that the words are but straw compared to the reality. I leaped from simply being the teacher of God’s love to becoming Abba’s delight.” What do you need to understand? Do you need to earn His love or do you realize you already have it? Today, make it a reality in your life. Accept the unconditional love God has for you.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, dear Father. How long have I felt unworthy of your affection? How long have I strived to try to win Your approval? But today I quit. Today, I quit trying to earn Your love. Today, I surrender. I surrender to Your word and accept the love that You freely have for me. Thank you, Father, for Your unconditional love.
AMEN

His Grace is Sufficient

2/2/2025

TODAY’S VERSE
But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you.”
II Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
TODAY’S THOUGHT
I never get used to God’s grace! Grace is God’s “unmerited favor” toward us who believe. In other words, He lavishes His love on you and me for no other reason than He “wants to.” His love is perfect. God’s grace is His purposeful manifestation of perfect love toward us. Paul came upon a tremendous burden in his life and sought relief from God, but instead of getting his request, God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you!” He asked for relief from a situation, but he got so much more. He received grace from God that was sufficient to meet his every need. In his classic book, “Addiction and Grace” Gerald May writes, “Grace is the invincible advocate of freedom and the absolute expression of perfect love. – For Christians, grace is the dynamic outpouring of God’s loving nature that flows into and through creation in an endless self-offering of healing, love, illumination, and reconciliation. It is a gift that is often given in spite of our intentions and errors. At such times, when grace is so clearly given unrequested, uninvited, even undeserved, there can be no authentic response but gratitude and awe.” Today, may you be conscious of His grace toward you. May you sense it in His attention, mercy, peace, strength, and love He directs toward you. Today, might you truly hope in this, His grace will indeed be sufficient for whatever will come your way.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, how amazing is Your grace! Thank You that no matter what comes my way today, You promised that Your grace toward me will be sufficient enough to see me through. I praise You for Your grace of love, of forgiveness, of mercy, of peace, of joy, of strength, and of provision. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

The Will Answer

1/14/2025

TODAY’S VERSE
I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways.
Psalms 17:6-8 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Some things only God can do. That is why we need to come to Him. When we do, we must put our faith in His ability to answer our prayers. In his book, “Living From The Heart,” Dr. James Wilder elaborates, “God is the only one who can ultimately save us, sanctify us, and deliver us from evil. – When we let God do His work, things happen rather perfectly. But when we presumptuously take over His territory, things tend to crumble all so quickly.” Today, like David, may we pray to God because we know He will answer. If we do, He will show us “His unfailing love in wonderful ways.”

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your unfailing love. You have shown it to me in so many ways. Today, I bring you my needs and all my cares. I come to You because I know You will answer. Your grace is amazing, Your love never-ending, Your power all-sufficient.
AMEN

The Holy Spirit

12/7/2024

TODAY’S VERSE
We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.
II Corinthians 6:6 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Paul was sharing all the hardship and suffering he and the church were experiencing. Even though the times were rough, he writes that the Holy Spirit still produced the attributes that God desired in their life. Attributes like purity, understanding, patience, kindness, and love got them through the most challenging times. In another passage, Paul writes, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” How is this done? Paul answers, “Let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” Today, commit your way to Him. Ask for the leading, direction, and influence of the Holy Spirit in all that you do, think, and say. When you do, He will produce the desired effects in your life.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit, lead me today. I desire Your fruit to be evident in my life. Please guide me, direct me, influence everything I do.
AMEN

Take No Revenge!!!

11/7/2024

TODAY’S VERSE
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.
Romans 12:19 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Revenge. What a toxic emotion. What a deceptive motive. It is so easy to slip into this deadly trap. It starts with a wound—perhaps a deep hurt, humiliation, or betrayal. Life isn’t fair, but this is just too much! Soon, our wound festers, and anger becomes an obsession. But what makes revenge so deceptive is that we don’t have to murder someone to get revenge. Instead, we feel justified in slandering the person, shunning them, campaigning against something they are doing, or a million other ways of getting nasty. But this is not revenge. It is getting even, giving them what they deserve, or settling the score. No, it is revenge. It is hard not to go there. What can we do? Paul shares the only thing we can do. Let go. Give it to God. Let Him take over your case. The author of Hebrews was serious when he wrote, “Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” Today, follow that advice. Let God search your heart and pull out any bitter root that has taken ground in your emotions. Don’t let a wound fester into something worse.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, search my heart. Show me any toxic bitterness I may have. Show me any attitude or behavior of revenge. Forgive me and help me change my attitude. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

Forgiveness

10/2/2024

TODAY’S VERSE
Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness.
Psalms 130:3-4 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
It is easy to keep a record of sins. How many times have we found ourselves caught up in bitterness over someone’s repeated offenses against us? How many times should we continue to forgive? Jesus addressed that very question when Peter asked Him how many times we should forgive someone. In a magnanimous gesture, Peter suggests seven times, but Jesus said seven times seventy was more like it. The truth is God’s love is greater than we can imagine. David was trying to make that point in this passage. He was amazed that God was justified in keeping a record of all our wrongs but chooses not to. Instead, what does God do? He offers forgiveness. Forgiveness is a powerful healer. Is there something weighing heavy on your heart? Is there a secret sin or something from the past you need to repent of? Today, bring it to God—the God who does not keep a ledger of your wrongdoings but instead offers complete forgiveness
.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for not keeping a record of my wrongs. Instead, I bring my sins to You and ask You to forgive me, and set me free. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

Don't Be Deceived!!!

9/4/2024

TODAY’S VERSE
You say, “I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!” And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.
Revelation 3:17 (NLT)
TODAY’S THOUGHT
It is so easy to deceive ourselves. Look at the Pharisees. They thought they were doing everything God required of them to be holy, and yet Jesus constantly pointed out how far they had missed the target of true Holiness. It was that way with the church in Laodicea. In Revelations, it says they were rich and had many things and felt they didn’t need a thing. However, God pointed out to them that they were deceived. In reality, they were spiritually wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. What about us? How can we avoid becoming deceived? We must spend time with God. We open ourselves to hear His voice, read His word, and spend time in introspection. We humble ourselves before God, spend time with Him, and listen to His leading. When we do, He will guide us. He will correct us. He will help us discern what we need to change. Today, ask God to make you aware of your spiritual condition. Might we pray what David prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”
TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, help me be honest with myself and with You. Help me see if there is any offensive way in me and then lead me in a more spiritual path. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

MERCY

7/1/2024

TODAY’S VERSE
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Proverbs 28:13 (NIV)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Confession is good for the soul. If done right, it is a tremendous spiritual discipline. As a counselor and Pastor, I have heard many “confessions” in the form of remorse, sadness, guilt, and fear. As a person struggling with my “sinful” nature, I have had the blessing of confessing my “sins that so easily beset me.” There is something about cleansing our hearts that gives us life. The Apostle John shares, “If we confess our sins, he (Jesus) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Jesus listens with never-ending love and forgives with His matchless grace. And yet, even with His forgiveness only seconds away, many of us end up with a false suspicion that we are unlovable, condemned, and damaged goods. So we work harder and put on our “Christian” mask to ensure we make the mark. Where does that come from? From God? No. This false condemnation and poor sense of God’s love comes from our own hearts. Today, let go of that nagging doubt and self-condemnation. God loves you. Period! He completely forgives you! It is finished. You have found mercy; don’t give it back. Keep it. Treasure it. Believe it. Hear Jesus say, “Go, your sins are forgiven, be whole!”

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, You know my sins. I confess them to You. You know my struggles, fears, and masks I have put on. Help me believe you so I can put down this heavy burden of shame and condemnation and live in the freedom of your mercy. In Jesus’

The Lord's Church

6/2/2024

TODAY’S VERSE
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 toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
At first, this just seems like a benediction you hear after Sunday church—a nice platitude to give you some hope throughout the week. But when you stop to read this passage, it becomes a tremendous reality you must consider. Why? Because believing this passage can change your life. It starts out by stating that God wants to bless and keep you. What a wonderful reality. You can come to God knowing that His full intent is to bless you. But then the author adds a very personal twist. He is saying that God wants to make His face shine upon you. This means that God Almighty is fully aware of you and is turning His face deliberately toward you so you can make full contact with Him. What an invitation. Today, right now, God has turned His face toward you. His goal is to be gracious toward you and give you peace. He is looking; will you look up? Stop now, experience the presence of the Lord.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for taking such a personal interest in me. I want to know You better. Please be gracious toward me, help me experience Your face shining upon me, and give me peace.
AMEN