Thoughts

Thought for the Morning

 

Jeremiah 9:24   But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD. 

 

It is God’s desire that His chosen people, Israel, would honor Him and yet they are estranged from Him. His beloved people were rejecting Him and had glory in their own wisdom, their own might, and in their own personal riches (Jeremiah 9.23). 

 

How do we understand and know God, who exercises lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth? We understand and know God through His Beloved Son.

 

From the beginning of time, and even before time began, it was in God’s plan to provide a means of redemption. Redemption from what? We were created in the image of God (Gen 1.26-28) Can you imagine what it must’ve been like in the Garden of Eden when there was no sin? God walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day (Gen 3.8), and there was fellowship between God and His creation. But this all changed when mankind decided to exercise his own wisdom and fell into sin. Sin is that barrier that prevents us from understanding God. 

 

For us today, an understanding of God only comes through an understanding of what God has done for us. He has provided His Son, the Lord Jesus. In the Lord Jesus is manifested the, lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness of God. “God so loved the world…” (John 3.16). “… My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me” (John 8:16), and “…As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30). Our Father in Heaven loved us so much that He sent His Beloved Son, and upon His Son He judged our sin, and because of that we are righteous in God’s eyes.

John 3:16 ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Adam and Eve sinned, and all of mankind was affected. God sent His Beloved Son to deal with our sin on the Cross. Just a thought for the morning.

Carl

(7/1/2020)

Thought for the Morning

Matthew 10:38   And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

What does it mean to take up your cross and follow after Him? The Lord says if you don’t take up your cross and follow after Him you are not worthy of Him! Those are strong words. The Cross is a continual reminder of the cost of our salvation. We take up His Cross when we act out His will in our daily life here on earth. His will is acted out through us when we realize what he accomplished on the Cross for each one of us. 

There may be times when taking up His Cross are occasions of struggle and anguish. But this will be a time when He draws very close to you in many way and takes you by the hand or even carries you through difficult times, difficult tasks. This will be a time when we put aside the “can-do” attitude and put our total trust in Him Each one of us should be comforted by the words that He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb 13.5). We do not carry the cross alone, He bears the weight of it!

But there are also times when we become aware of His will and because of many reasons we fail to take up His Cross, being disobedient. There is the feeling of unworthiness on our part. We feel we are not up to the task placed before us, but if Christ has put this task before us He will also empower us in accomplishing it.

Paul always had the Cross before him. But he did write:  “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God (1Cor 15.9). But he also wrote: To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,(Eph 3.8)

Not being “worthy” of Him means we are dominated by “self” and not Him.  Our walk should always be mindful of the love that sent Him to the Cross for each of us!

Colossians 2:6-7 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷  rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

May each of us follow after Him! Just a thought for the morning.

Carl 

(7/8/2020)

Thought for the morning

 

Matthew 9:36 ³⁶ But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.

Oh how this verse speaks of the sorry lost state we were in before the Spirit of God spoke to our hearts and revealed to us the true Sheppard, the Lord Jesus! Man without Christ has no sheppard to guide them, care for them, or protect them.

Psalm 23:1-6 ¹ “…The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. ² He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. ³ He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. ⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. ⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.”

 

The Lord is my Sheppard, what a joy it is to be able to say that! When I start my day, I do not travel alone for “He is with me”. “He restores my soul.”  There are many times when my soul needs restoration, when I am weary, when the burdens seem to be heavy, when I am depressed, and discouraged He restores my soul!

 

With our Sheppard leading, God’s goodness and mercy will always be with us.  There are many times we are not totally aware of this, but this is a promise He has made to us!

 

He will never leave us of forsake us (Heb. 13.5) and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Just a thought for the morning.

 

Carl

(7/15/2020)

Thought for the morning

 

Ecclesiastes 1:12-14 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. ³ And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised.   I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Solomon, a king of great wisdom looks at his life and in many ways is not pleased by what he sees. “Vanity of vanities all is vanity” (Ecc 1.2) There is a phase that he uses 9 times in this book. The phrase is “grasping for the wind”, and he associates this grasping with vanity. What does it mean to grasp for the wind?  Is it seeking something that isn’t really there?  Is it grasping for something beyond your reach?  Or is grasping desiring  something you don’t really need – but you think you do?

 

Many times during my life I have grasped for something I did’nt need. It seems we are never satisfied with where we are in life but look for more. I was not satisfied with my job and I looked for a better position. I was not satisfied with a certain posession and grasped for something better. Dissatifaction is vanity and trying to bring about satisfaction is “grasping for the wind”.  We seem to grasp for the wind continually.

 

What does Solomon conclude?

 

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. ¹⁴  For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. 

 

Having a reverential fear for God, walking guided by His word, desiring to do His will “this is mans all”. Paul writes to the Ephesians “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Eph. 5.8). If we walk in the light, we will see “grasping for the wind” leads to nothing! Just a thought for the morning.

 

Carl

(7/22/2020)

Thought for the morning

 

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

As I look back on some of these thoughts for the morning, I see I have focused on peace several times. Peace for our soul is the desire of all of us. We only have to look around us and we see there is no peace. We come into this world plagued with sin, which blocks the capability of real peace. The Lord Jesus said “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you”.  Peace is achieved through the winning of a battle!  The battlefield for our peace was fought and won on the Cross.  

 

Psalm 29:11 ¹¹ The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.

 

Isaiah 53:5 ⁵ But He was wounded for our transgressions, He wasbruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 

 

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 

 

Colossians 1:19-20   For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

 

Today may I and each of us reflect and be joyful in the peace we have through Him. We were critically wounded by sin but healing has come through the Lord and we have peace.  By His stripes we are healed!  Just a thought for the morning.

Brothers and Sisters, Certainly the situation around us today is not one of peace.  Many are suffering and many have died throughout the world from this plague that has come among us.  But we are blessed by any inner peace that we have in Christ. 

 

Carl

(7/29/2020)

Thought for the morning

 

James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” 

For months we have been exposed to a virus which is plaguing the world including our country. Life has changed and we are all affected in one way or another.  We know friends, maybe relatives who have passed away, some are sick. Many have lost their jobs and financial pressure has come to many. We walk around with masks and there is no physical contact. We are together and yet we are separated.  

James in his letter writes, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience”. We might ask the question; what joy can possibly come through trials? How can there be joy with all that is going on in this world that is affecting all of us? James writes that trials test our faith leading to patience.

Chapter 11 of Hebrews gives us examples of those in the past, that through faith, have overcome trials. These saints are a witnesses to us that trials do come to those who God loves.

Hebrews also reminds us of “the author (Christ) and finisher of ourfaith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,”(Heb 12.2) It appears that the joy set before Him is the salvation of each of us! God is love, He is also patient!  For us to be patient through trials is not easy.  But to be patient without hope is futile.  We have hope in Christ and no matter what happens in our world our hope is resting in Him. The Lord may be testing our faith in this season but with testing is to come patience, knowing He is in control.

James 5:8  You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

In whatever testing comes our way we are to be patient. Just a thought for the morning.

                                        

Carl

(8/5/2020)

Thought for the morning

 

James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” 

For months we have been exposed to a virus which is plaguing the world including our country. Life has changed and we are all affected in one way or another.  We know friends, maybe relatives who have passed away, some are sick. Many have lost their jobs and financial pressure has come to many. We walk around with masks and there is no physical contact. We are together and yet we are separated.  

James in his letter writes, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience”. We might ask the question; what joy can possibly come through trials? How can there be joy with all that is going on in this world that is affecting all of us? James writes that trials test our faith leading to patience.

Chapter 11 of Hebrews gives us examples of those in the past, that through faith, have overcome trials. These saints are a witnesses to us that trials do come to those who God loves.

Hebrews also reminds us of “the author (Christ) and finisher of ourfaith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,”(Heb 12.2) It appears that the joy set before Him is the salvation of each of us! God is love, He is also patient!  For us to be patient through trials is not easy.  But to be patient without hope is futile.  We have hope in Christ and no matter what happens in our world our hope is resting in Him. The Lord may be testing our faith in this season but with testing is to come patience, knowing He is in control.

James 5:8  You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

In whatever testing comes our way we are to be patient. Just a thought for the morning.

                                        

Carl

(8/5/2020)

Thought for the morning

 

Psalm 27:4   One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple. 

 

As believers in Christ, we are on a path leading home. David’s seeks to dwell, to behold, and to inquire.  It is his desire to be with the Lord always, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.

 

How does this apply to you and I? The desire of all believers is the day when we will enter His very presence and will be with Him forever! It is to be our desire “all the days of my life” (here on this earth) as David writes?  It is God’s desire that we draw near to Him and when we do He will draw near to us (James 4.8). It is His desire that we walk with Him just as He did with Adam and Eve before sin entered.(Gen 3.8) When you walk with someone you do not walk behind or in front of , but you walk side by side.

 

Hebrews 10:22  let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

 

James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse yourhands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

 

Ephesians 5:8-10 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), ¹⁰  finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

 

It is also our desire to “dwell”, to be with Him forever. It is our desire to “behold”, His beauty as we bow in worship. It is our desire to “inquire”, to be a student of His word.  He has taken us from a place of darkness and brought us into the Light of His love.  Just a thought for the morning.

Carl

(8/26/2020)

Thought for the morning

 

 

Proverbs 3:5 ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 

 

Proverbs 14:12 ¹² There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 

 

We can place our trust in many difference places. But many times our trust in someone or something does not pan out. Some have trusted us in some area and have been disapointed when we fail to fulfil that trust. There is One we can totally trust in, and that is our Savior the Lord Jesus. Trust and hope go hand in hand. We trust in the eternal hope we have in Him. We trust that God is faithful to His word and He will not abandon us! In the faitfulness of God lies our trust.

 

Trust in our own understanding will only lead to disapointment and finally lead to damnation!

 

Psalm 9:10 ¹⁰ And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. 

 

1 Corinthians 1:9 ⁹ God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

 

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 ²³ Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ He who calls you isfaithful, who also will do it.

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Just a thought for the morning. 

 

Carl

Thought for the morning

 

Romans 8:9-11 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. ¹⁰ And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹ But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

 

These verses certainly emphasize the indwelling nature of the Holy Spirit in the believer. What does it mean to be indwelt by the Spirit? It means having a “new nature” (2Co 5.17).  It means having guide for our walk in Christ (John 16.13).  It means to have a Helper or Comforter as we face daily problems (John 14.16). It means He is there to convict us of sin (John 16.7-11), urging us to confess (1John 1.9) and repent.

 

The indwelling Spirit is associated with the new nature we have in Christ. But there seems to be a constant struggle between the old and the new nature. Paul confirms this in the letter to the Romans (Rom 7.15-25). “The devil made me do it” is not really an excuse! The problem is, so many times, we yield to our old nature, we are not aware of the “indwelling Spirit”. How do we yield to the indwelling Spirit?

 

We yield by obedience, obedience to the word of God. How do we know the desires of our Lord, it is through the word? The Spirit given word is a lamp guiding us day by day. That’s why it is so important to have it open beforeus as we struggle with the days problems. It is the word of God that the indwelling Spirit uses to combat the old nature within us.

 

John 14:15-17 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. ¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever– ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.  ¹⁰ And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

 

John 16:13   However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

 

The Holy word is our sword; the Spirit speaks to us through the word.  The Lord has not left us alone!  Just a thought for the morning.

 

Carl

(8/26/2020)