Thought for Today - Gratitude

''For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?'' 1 Corinthians 4:7

Okay, confession time: I have been guilty of this! Since being on my own, I have several times been convicted of an ungrateful attitude concerning the things with which I have been blessed. It's easy to look around and think that I provided myself with the things I have instead of being thankful to the One who actually provided me with them.

This can apply to possessions, status, praise, authority, relationships, and anything else God has given us. We cannot hold on to these things, and we cannot boast ''as if [we] had not received them.'' Instead of taking these blessings for granted today, let's look around and recognize the things God has provided and thank Him for them!

Thought for Today - Raining Love

'''But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.''' Matthew 5:45

Not everyone likes rain, but I do. Something about the sound of falling rain is very soothing to me, and I love the effects of spring rain as the grass turns green and flowers begin to bloom. God doesn't have to give us rain, but He chooses to let His rain fall on the earth for everyone's benefit.

''Love your enemies'' is much easier said than done. Being kind to those who have been unkind to us can be done by the power of God in us, as it is impossible on our own strength. If we are indeed children of our heavenly Father, let's rain down love and kindness today on everyone around us, whether or not they are kind to us.

Thought for Today - Encouragement

''Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ''Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance...'' Isaiah 35:3-4a

When I run, the last leg to the finish line is both the hardest and the easiest. It is the hardest because then I am the most fatigued and want most to give up. However, it is also the easiest because I am within sight of my goal and can push it harder knowing that my run is almost over. And if I receive encouragement near the finish line, such as the cheering of those who have already finished, I can push even harder.

Encouragement can mean all the difference in someone's performance or even their life. There are times when we all need a helping hand, a kind word, or a listening ear.

Who can you encourage today? Is there someone you can come alongside and comfort or strengthen?

Thought for Today - New Mercies

''Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.'' Lamentations 3:22-23
Great is His faithfulness! We can't even begin to comprehend a fraction of what God sees and does.

His mercies are new every morning. Every morning we wake up, in possession of things only He can give, things He can also choose to take away: life, health, safety, nourishment, shelter, and everything else we have. It's a little cliche, but it's true. When we wake up each morning, we have no idea of what God is doing in the background just so that we can wake up, and can have the same things we did when we went to sleep. God is constantly moving on our behalf and blessing us as He sees fit.

''We are not consumed'' - only by His mercy. If He took His eye off you for a moment, you would not exist. Great indeed is His faithfulness, and His compassion does not fail!

Thought for Today - Let It Go

'''And if anyone says to you, ''Why are you doing this?'' say, ''The Lord has need of it,'' and immediately he will send it here.''' Mark 11:3

Our Lord was completely sure that the owner of the donkey was willing to give it up for Him. There was no doubt, no question of whether the donkey's owner would try to keep it for himself or deny the Lord use of it.

I wonder if God is sure that each of us will give up the things we hold dear. If He asked for anything I think I own, would I give it up willingly, even gladly, for His service?

Everything we have is given to us by the Lord, and anything can be taken away again. We should never hold too tightly to people, possessions, status, or any other thing we have. If the Lord asks for it, let it go.

Happy Easter!

'''He is not here, for He is risen, as He said.''' Matthew 28:6a

When the disciples awoke that morning, the events of the last several days must have come rushing to their minds. Their grief at Jesus' loss and fear for their own lives, as well as confusion over what to do next, were all concerns they faced in the days after Jesus' death.

But hope was not lost, for the women who came rushing in that morning had huge news: Jesus' body was gone, they had seen a talking angel, and they had been assured that Jesus was actually alive!

He is risen, as He said! He told His disciples many times about what was going to happen, but it's easy to lose sight of His promises when circumstances seem so negative. But Jesus did what He said, and He rose again as our Lord and triumphant King.

He is risen!

Thought for Today - It Is Finished

''So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.'' John 19:30

Over 30 years earlier, Jesus' humble birth in a stable had been recognized as the Messiah's entrance by only a few. Now, at the consummation of everything He had come to earth to accomplish, Jesus sounds the victory cry: ''It is finished!''

Satan and those deceived by him thought they had won. They thought that Jesus was finished, that God's attempt at redeeming humanity was finished for good. Little did they know...

Salvation, redemption, restoration, propitiation - it was finished. Jesus' purpose on earth had been accomplished, our debt had been paid, and the voluntary sacrifice had purchased our salvation. And it gets better - the sacrifice wasn't going to stay dead! It was finished!

Thought for Today - And Such Were

''And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.'' 1 Corinthians 6:11

Verses 9-10 contain a list of actions that God considers abominable - from sexual immorality to coveting and jealousy - similar to the 10 Commandments and other lists of sins. None of us are exempt, everyone has sinned and broken His laws. Every single one of us deserves punishment for our actions: separation from God, forever in torment.

And such were some of us. The key word there is ''were'' - we are no longer. But - I love when God uses the word ''but'' - but we were washed, sanctified, justified!

I pray that we never lose the wonder of salvation, never stop being amazed at the fact that God would choose to save someone like us, in awe of the miracle of forgiveness. ''Such were'' you - and now you are no longer, now you are forgiven. Praise be to God for His indescribable gift!

Thought for Today - Live to the Lord

''For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.'' Romans 14:8-9

Literally nothing about our lives is our own. Whether we live or die, everything we do and everything we are is His. Even when I try to keep something of myself back, in the end it is all His because He already paid for it with His own life.

So how do we live to the Lord? Is everything I do centered around Him and coming from Him?

Since my life is not my own, my decisions and actions are not my own either. Sometimes the Lord may allow me a choice between options consistent with His Word, but I should always seek His direction.

Also, everything I do reflects back on Him. People may judge His character based off my actions in His name. I am accountable to Him for everything I do.

How then do I live to the Lord?

Thought for Today - Live Peacably

''If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.'' Romans 12:18

There's a saying that goes, ''It takes two to tango'' - referring to arguments as well as dancing. Of course, sometimes you will be involved in disagreements that are not your fault. Still, God's point is clear - do your part to make it right.

We're human. We all make mistakes, and we have all been forgiven so much by God. The parable of the forgiven servant in Matthew 18:23-35 is clear that he have no excuse for holding grudges or refusing to forgive others.

If I am the one in the wrong, of course, the Bible is also clear that the burden is on me to make the situation right again. Matthew 5:22-24 tells us that sin against a brother hinders our relationship with God.

There will be times, however, when nothing you say or do can make a situation better. As long as I have done my part to be reconciled and at peace, I am right before God. The other person will answer to Him for their actions.

Thought for Today - Integrity and Contentment

''Remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches - feed me with the food allotted to me.'' Proverbs 30:8

The book of Proverbs in general but specifically Proverbs 30 is very interesting. The context of this passage is a man named Agur asking God to grant his desire. First, he asks for integrity; after that, however, he makes an intriguing request.

Instead of ease and riches, he asks God for a middle ground between wealth and poverty, and the contentment to stay there. Agur recognizes God as the provider and supplier of his needs, and fully trusts Him to bestow what He knows is best. He also recognizes his human tendancy to wander away from the Lord when circumstances are too comfortable.

Integrity and contentment. For Agur, these were the most important things he could ask of God. His request is a good role model for us. Imagine how God could work in and through us if we were focused on integrity and contentment!

Thought for Today - Living Sacrifice

''I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.'' Romans 12:1

In Old Testament times, God's people offered Him their property, usually animals, for the forgiveness of sins. They were called sacrifices because they cost something to the person offering them. In 2 Samuel 24:24, David refused to make a burnt offering without paying for it.

A sacrifice is a gift to God that costs you something. Offering a living sacrifice, your very life and being and body, definitely comes at a price to you. This living sacrifice, however, is your ''reasonable service.'' We owe our lives to our Savior, so isn't our obedience reasonable?

A living sacrifice no longer controls himself or herself. As sacrifices, let us approach every decision as being God's and not ours. My body is not my own, my life is not my own; all I do or say is on the altar.

Thought for Today - Snowflakes

''God thunders marvelously with His voice, He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth'; likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.'' Job 37:6

Snow is a mystery to this desert- and beach-raised girl! There are so many things I didn't know about snow until I lived in it. For instance, I thought that it fell only on each side of the roads, never in the middle. I learned very quickly that snow falls everywhere, and it's not easy to navigate in it!

The God of the stars and planets is also the God of the snow and rain. The God who sees each sparrow fall also designs each snowflake. He who knows the hairs of my head also numbers the raindrops and sets their boundaries. ''He thunders marvelously with His voice'' - and He also speaks in a soft whisper to my heart. We cannot comprehend Him, but He knows everything about us.

So who do you serve, and to whose voice do you listen? I am in love with the God of snowflakes!

Thought for Today - Hiding Place

''You are my hiding place, You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.'' Psalm 32:7

When we learn to turn to the Lord for refuge, circumstances are suddenly no longer important. You can feel safe in the most dangerous situations knowing that God has His hand on You. To trust Him in all things and to trust Him with all things are the keys to not worrying about life or loved ones.

What a beautiful picture - the Lord surrounds you with songs of deliverance. If it wasn't enough that in the shadow of His wings you are safe, He even sings over you, His beloved.

Whatever the situations we find ourselves in, may we learn to turn to Him first. Rest in that refuge, trust in those arms, and find peace in His songs of love.

Thought for Today - Thus I Run

''Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.'' 1 Cor 9:26

There must've been times when Paul wanted to give up. As with every Christian, his journey must've had its mountaintops and valleys both. Paul endured so much and came through all persecution only the stronger for it and not at all discouraged from fulfilling his mission to preach God's word. How did he do it?

In these words is a motivation stronger than a desire for physical discipline. Paul did not want to waste the time and energy given him, and he did not want to be found unworthy. To be disqualified from his beloved preaching would've broken his heart. All things, including his body, must be in submission to God's calling on his life.

I may run with uncertainty if I run only to improve my body. All things, even the physical, must be for God's glory!

Thought for Today - Waiting on God

''Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation: on You I wait all the day.'' Psalm 25:5

After sitting around all day Thursday, I think I know something about ''waiting all the day.'' However, waiting on the Lord is not like waiting on man. Waiting on the Lord means waiting for Him to reveal His perfect plan in His perfect timing.

Unlike waiting on people, if you are waiting on God it doesn't mean something is wrong. God often lets us wait while He works in ways that only He knows. There is no better place to be than right where He wants me, and often that includes waiting on Him.

The military may jokingly claim the phrase ''hurry up and wait'' and it's easy to get frustrated while waiting on people. Waiting on God, however, can be a beautiful time of refreshment and renewal while He prepares me for the next step in His plan. ''Lead me in Your truth and teach me'' - the psalmist knew the value of waiting on God and using the time to draw closer to Him.

Thought for Today - Where Were You?

''Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?'' Job 38:4a
There are a few passages in the Bible that demonstrate God's sense of humor. Here, fed up with Job and his self-righteous friends, God is actually sarcastic!

''Where were you...'' What a humbling question! We like to think so much of ourselves and are usually too preoccupied with our own matters to be aware of what God is doing elsewhere. It doesn't hurt to be reminded sometimes that we are not the center of the universe. The God who sees every sparrow fall cares deeply about us, but not for our own merit - there is nothing in ourselves to deserve His love. The God who hung the stars in the sky loves us simply because He chooses to love us.

Thought for Today - Radical Love

''This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.'' John 15:13

Somehow I don't think this verse would make a very good Valentine's Day card! We don't like associating death with love, but at the very core, that's truly what love is: death to your self and your own wishes for the good of someone else. Love places what is best for the other person above what you want.

Jesus set the ultimate example of love with His death so that we can live. He then commanded that we ''love one another'' as He loved us! If I love as He loves, suddenly everyone else becomes more important, and the welfare of my friends becomes more important even than my own. This is radical love! This love can only be from God. 

Lord, give me love today for the people You have placed in my life. Help me to love them like You do.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Thought for Today - This is Love

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:7-11

Love. One of the most over-used words in the English language. I can say that I love God, I love my pet, and I love my dessert after dinner, and mean three different concepts.

In this passage, God's kind of love is laid out - the love that He gives us and commands us to love each other. It's unearned, unmerited, unconditional love that doesn't change based on circumstances or even how the object of the love has treated the giver. God loved us enough to die for us when we were still in sin and wanted nothing to do with Him.

So how do we express that love? Does it spill over into everything we do? Can we love others as He loves us?

Thought for Today - Trust

''And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.'' Ps 9:10

As humans we tend to put our trust in a lot of things. We trust that the earth will keep revolving, that our houses won't fall down, that chairs will support our weight, and many other things throughout the day that we never even think about.

Why then is it so hard sometimes to trust in our God? He has promised not to forsake those who trust in Him, and He is incapable of breaking a promise. Chairs and houses may break and eventually the earth will be dissolved, but God will remain and He will still be faithful.

Where is our trust placed today? Are we trusting in God or things?

Thought for Today - Behind the Scenes

''You have granted me life and favor, and Your care has preserved my spirit.'' Job 10:12

By 9:30 this morning, God had already clearly spared my life at least twice: first when I fell in a frozen river, and second when I spun out my car in front of a big truck. It made me wonder about all the times He moves to rescue us and we are oblivious to what He's doing. I'm sure that throughout the day angels deploy to protect each of us and to allow only things God has ordained to happen to each of us. Sure gives a new meaning to the concept of no coincidences, doesn't it? God is doing things in and through and around each of us every day, and will only allow those things He has decided are best for us, even if we don't understand. Let's keep an eye out for God moving today - we might be surprised if we knew what He's doing behind the scenes!

Thought for Today - Strength in Weakness

''And He said to me, ''My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'' 2 Cor 12:9a

I don't like being weak. I don't think anyone does. There's something about having to show weakness that strikes the core of who I think I am. After coming down with the flu Saturday night and Sunday morning, I spent Sunday flat on the couch while a good friend brought me 7up and soup and watched TV with me. I hate being weak.

Something happens when we are weak, however - all our own strength is stripped away. Our real motives, everything we hide under our own power, becomes visible. If we are operating on God's strength, it is made more perfect in our weakness because we're not getting in His way. And when we learn the secret of giving up our strength and relying on His power, then we can truly say, ''for when I am weak, then I am strong.''

Thought for Today - Nothing is Insignificant

''Mattithiah of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the trusted office over the things that were baked in the pans.'' 1 Chronicles 9:31
Mattithiah. He wasn't a king or a prophet - he was a nobody. No one names their kids about him or sings songs in Sunday School about him. He's listed in Chronicles along with lots of other random guys and even more who aren't even named: ''and some of their brethren...'' 

I bet they must've felt pretty insignificant sometimes. But look at Mattithiah again. He had the TRUSTED office of pan-baked stuff for the temple - probably holy showbread and stuff like that. What he did was a small part of a big picture, and it was a part that had to be done right. No matter how unimportant he might've felt, that bread had to be baked right for God's holy temple.

Feeling insignificant lately? God cared about everything in his temple, right down to the baker, and He cares about you and your job too. What's important is doing it right, for Him.

Thought for Today - Giving Our Best

''Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might...'' Ecc 9:10a

Solomon, feeling somewhat cynical, felt there was no more to life than to enjoy it, do what you can, and die. We, however, know there is so much more to the Christian life, when walking with Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit. These words are still true: do it with all your might.

What am I doing? What are you doing? What has God given us to do? Are we doing it with all our might, as unto Him and not as to men? Or are we lazy, sloppy, inconsiderate, and not giving our best? Whatever tasks, jobs, or callings God has given each of us, He wants our best - He wants 100%. Let's give Him our best today, in everything we do, doing it for Him and not for the boss, for the paycheck, for the recognition, or anything else. He ultimately is the only One whose opinion matters!

Thought for Today - Not Ashamed

''For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.'' Romans 1:16

Not ashamed... Not ashamed of the gospel. Not ashamed of my savior who died for me. Not ashamed of the life I live in Him, guided by Him, loved by Him. Not ashamed!

Jesus said that if we confess Him before men, He'll confess us before God. He's not ashamed of us, and He doesn't regret His sacrifice one bit. Praise Him for His unfailing love and endless mercy!

Thought for Today - Noah's Obedience

''And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him.'' Genesis 7:5

I wonder what was going through Noah's mind when God commanded him to build a huge boat and put a ton of animals on it because it was going to rain. Nothing has been said about Noah's occupation for the first 600 years of his life, but I'm guessing he wasn't a boat-builder or zookeeper. This was way out of his comfort zone, not to mention he probably didn't even know what rain was. But he still obeyed all God commanded, even though he probably looked and felt ridiculous.

God's commands don't always make sense. I'm sure that Noah and his family were glad they had obeyed, however, when they were spared alive in the ark by their obedience. No matter what God's instructions are, no matter how we feel about them, the important thing is to trust Him and obey and let Him handle the outcome. So what's your ark? Can you obey without understanding why?

Thought for Today - Directions

''The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.'' Prov 16:9 NASB

So many doors seem open, so many paths I could walk down. So which one do I choose?

This I know: of all the options, I definitely want the one that God wants for me. His way is always best!

I can plan my way all day long, but if my plans don't include God's will, they're destined to fail. I can plan my way, but God directs my steps. He will put me where He wants me, whether or not I follow Him, but the whole process will be easier if I am obedient to His leading.

So what about when God seems silent and I can't find direction for my steps? I have heard His voice and seen His hand, and I trust Him even when I can't hear or see Him. He will guide, in His time, to where He wants me.

Are you looking for direction too? Wait on the Lord, ask Him for wisdom, listen for His voice. He will direct your steps!

Thought for Today - Enoch's Legacy

''And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.'' Genesis 5:24

Genesis 5 has an awesome genealogy of some of the first people that lived on this earth. They didn't resemble monkeys or walk on all fours. From the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, humans have had logical thought, free will, and the ability to have a relationship with their Creator.

Not everyone chose to use that ability, though. Within a few more generations, God destroyed nearly all the earth's population for their wickedness. Enoch, however, left a legacy of righteousness. In between other entries in the list such as Mahalalel and Methuselah, we see Enoch - he walked with God. In fact, he had such a special relationship that God simply ''took him'' instead of letting him die.

What legacy do we leave in our family tree or in the world's history? Can people say of us that we walk with God?

Thought for Today - Be Strong

''Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.'' Joshua 1:9

Be strong and of good courage - the words ring with strength and passion, an ageless battle cry for the whole kingdom from the general of the army to the servants and maids. Once the Lord's will is known, His people are motivated to give their best effort to accomplish the command. The key here is knowing the command itself. Until God's direction is clear, any effort spent on following your own ideas is wasted energy. Wait on Him for the command - it will come, and then His servants must be tireless and passionate in carrying it out. We won't be alone, either - He promises to be right by our side, every step of the way.

Thought for Today - God of the Stars

''He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.'' Ps 147:4

Astronaut Jim Irwin, describing his view of the Earth from space, famously said, ''Seeing this has to change a man, has to make a man appreciate the creation of God and the love of God.''

Any view of the galaxy through even a simple telescope reveals stars and planets without number - just in our own galaxy! In the entire universe, how many stars must there be...yet He knows them all by name, even as He knows you and me by name. He counts the number of the stars, and He counts the hairs on our heads. He is master of the universe, but He sees every sparrow fall, and values us even more. How beautiful are the attentions and affectionate intimacies of a relationship with such a God!

Thought for Today - Creation

''In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.'' Genesis 1:1
God chose to start His book with a statement that has been controversial for as long as it has been true. Man has sought to offer other explanations for our existence that do not involve a powerful God because if they accept it as truth then there is a God deserving of worship.

And if this one statement is incorrect or a lie, the rest of His Word can't be trusted either. The issue of creation cannot be separated from who God is.

So what is easier to believe: that there was nothing and suddenly BANG there was something? That there was nothing and somehow over millions of years nothing turned to something? Or that there was nothing and there was God and He created something?

I challenge you today, if you're not sure what to believe on this issue, do some reading and praying - the answers are there. We serve a mighty God!

Thought for Today - Wisdom

''If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.'' James 1:5

God appeared in a dream to a young King Solomon and offered him anything he desired. Out of everything in the world he chose wisdom, a choice that pleased God immensely, and Solomon filled his book of Provebs with wise sayings and admonitions to acquire wisdom. God still gladly and generously gives wisdom to anyone who asks in faith - and that's not a suggestion but a promise!

So, believers, trying to find our way on this path called life, God is waiting to give us a tool to help and guide us on our way. Need direction? Ask.

Thought for Today - Bought

''For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.'' 1 Cor 6:20

Whoa - lightbulb moment! I am not my own!

I've heard people say before, ''Well it's my body, I can choose what to do with it.'' Here's the proof - it's not your body! 

The context of this verse is Christian liberty and purity, and verse 18 says ''flee sexual immorality.'' It's clear that God cares very deeply about what our society has cheapened and tarnished. What was intended to be a beautiful union between a husband and wife, symbolic of our relationship with God yet utterly human, is trashed in our culture. It doesn't have to be that way, though - playing by God's rules, sex is what He created it to be.

This verse is my personal verse for purity and remembering that God is concerned with my body and my outward appearance. He bought me, after all! He is the One I should be dressing to please and to glorify, for I was ''bought at a price.''

Thought for Today - Worrying About the Future

''Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.'' Matthew 6:34

It's a new year, a fresh start. It's really just another day, and in God's eyes this year is already written - He knows what will happen - but it's a great chance to examine our lives and hearts and make sure we are where we need to be. The context of this passage is God providing for His creation, and verse right above this one is the famous ''seek ye first'' verse - time to get our priorities right and focus on what's really important. When our eyes are on the Lord, He will take care of the things we need, and He knows what's best for us. Rather than worry about the future, cross that bridge when you get there and focus on what tasks and what blessings God has for you now. He will guide where He wants you!