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Category: Thought Of The Week

December 25, 2023

December 25, 2023

Merry Christmas!

 

I love the comforting thought of God always being with me.

 

Charles Stanley comments that “Because of the indwelling Christ, believers are never separated from His permanent presence. We are in Christ and He is in us. What an encouragement! What a comfort! What an assurance! We always have a shoulder to lean on – the broad shoulders of Immanuel. We always have someone to listen to our heartache – our constant Companion and Friend, Jesus”.

 

Isn’t this a wonderful gift?!

December 18, 2023

December 18, 2023

When reading these verses, I can’t help being reminded of Linus in The Charlie Brown Christmas Special, reciting them on stage in the Christmas play. Reciting these words, he redirects his friends to the true meaning of the celebration of Christmas.

 

Our attention is often directed elsewhere: finding the perfect Christmas tree, a family  gathering, presents, etc. 

 

Linus reminds us that scripture focuses on celebrating the joy of welcoming Jesus as our Savior and the good news of His coming to rescue us and bring us abundant life with Him here on earth and eternal life with Him in His kingdom. He is the ultimate Christmas gift. All we have to do is accept it and embrace it.

 

(John 1:12)  “ . . . as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”  

 

This is a gift for ALL people, everywhere. Receiving it brings us to a place where we can’t help but “Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS”! (Philippians 4:4)

 

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them. That those who love your name may exalt in you.” (Psalm 5:11)  We have reason to sing, to sing from our hearts to the Lord. “Sing aloud to God our strength, shout for joy to the God of Jacob”! (Psalm 81:1) 

 

Have you received the ultimate gift? Are you aware of His presence with you? Are you singing His praise this Christmas ?

December 11, 2023

December 11, 2023

As beautiful as it is, the Christmas season has a way of stirring up and increasing our anxiety.

 

Before you allow your mind to wander down the road of worry, cry out to your heavenly Father!

 

He hears your prayers!  Even Jesus cried out to His Father when he was burdened here on earth.

 

When you give your worries to the Lord, you shift your focus from your problems to your loving Father, who is all-knowing and all-powerful.

 

As we’re told in 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

 

If you can put your focus on God’s ultimate Christmas gift to us, you’ll discover that you can trust that God is ready to take your cares into His hands.

December 4, 2023

December 4, 2023

We all experience various forms of turmoil in our lives. Often it’s a relationship that causes pain and suffering. We all would like to experience greater peace and contentment despite the storms that sometimes rage around us.

 

It is possible! This quote about peace from Charles Stanley is worth a close reading…

 

“God’s peace is not an escape from reality. We are not transfixed or somehow mentally ‘removed’ from feeling pain or struggling…Rather, peace is an undergirding rock-solid foundation so that no matter the tears we cry or the sorrow we feel, deep down inside we know with an abiding assurance that God is with us. God is in control, and the joy of the Lord is going to emerge far greater than any depth of agony we may be experiencing.”

 

This kind of peace is a principal focus of my coaching practice.

 

Interested?

November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023

Praying for someone who has hurt us is not an easy thing to do.

 

Forgiving them is even tougher.  But keep in mind that allowing someone to keep hurting you is not a criteria of forgiveness.

 

Add to that the fact that God welcomes your cry for help with forgiving. Along with it, He’ll provide restoration, healing of your heart, strengthened faith and His peace!

 

Also, you’ll have an answer to the question: “ What have I learned from being wounded?”

November 20, 2023

November 20, 2023

One of the things I am most thankful for is being able to sit and rest in God’s Presence.

To know He is there and to feel Him with me.

To receive that which He has to give me in those special moments.

His Words, His Wisdom, His Power, His Majesty.

I can relax and bask in His Love whenever I choose to.

Feel His loving arms enfold me.

Feel His Holy Spirit surround me.

This is the mindset of Praise and Thankfulness.

Joy, contentment and peace are our reward.

Have you entered His gates? Are you thankful?

Does He have your devotion and your time?

November 13, 2023

November 13, 2023

Gel clings on a window no longer generate much interest for my son, who is now eighteen. I still put them up. They provide a daily reminder that I need to thank God in ALL circumstances.

 

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”. This assures us that God uses every trial and difficult circumstance that we encounter for His good purpose.

 

We can have the contentment that Paul describes in Philippians 4:11 when we’re able to praise God as we move through the storms of our lives.

 

If you feel that the circumstances of your life are so bad that you aren’t sure how to thank God, then simply praise Him for who He is – our Savior, Redeemer, Deliverer, Healer, Counselor & Loving Father.

 

Thank Him daily for all that He has done and is doing for you.

 

You might even discover how He could be using your trials for your good! 

 

Up for talking about it?

November 6, 2023

November 6, 2023

Your path ahead may look like a maze.

 

Each day presents numerous choices that require a decision. Choosing which way to turn isn’t always easy.

 

Thankfully, there is a Navigator to help steer us through and around the obstacle course.

 

He stays with us. He does not leave us.

 

We can relax!

 

If you are ready to acknowledge your need for help, and ready to accept the fact that, as your Savior, you can put your trust in Him, you’ll find that He has a glorious destiny to lead you to!

 

Are you ready to grip His hand and let Him be your Navigator?

 

Like to talk about it?

October 30, 2023

October 30, 2023

Distractions are like endless ripples in the ocean that disrupt our ability to keep our focus on what’s truly important.

 

At times, relationship challenges are added to the distractions and come crashing in and threaten to pull us under.

 

Life in this world is continually riddled with problems and strife.

 

But there’s a remedy! We can choose to redirect our focus to our relationship with the Lord. When we are close to Him, we regain our perspective.

 

We’re told to seek Him first (Matthew 6:33). We just need to fix our gaze on His glorious face on the horizon above the churning waves.

 

Does your focus need some adjusting?

October 23, 2023

October 23, 2023

Joshua’s courage reflected his belief and trust in God. 

 

We all need that same courage, especially at this time in history. 

 

But, as with Joshua, our courage must be based on our assurance that our belief reflects truth disclosed to us by God. He assured Joshua that knowing and acting on His word would make Joshua “strong and of good courage”.

 

Even if you are feeling weak and vulnerable, you can act with strength because your belief and knowledge acquired from God’s word puts Him squarely on your side.

 

Are you resting in the confidence that He is with you and for you?