Pocket Thoughts - 4/4/25
God * is the Maker of all things * alone stretches out the heavens and spreads out the earth * overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense.
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Every blessing we enjoy comes from the hands of a loving, generous God Who is eager to supply our every need. In Psalm 21, David rejoiced in the gifts the Lord had given him. He acknowledged that his strength came from God, and he claimed God’s presence as his most treasured source of gladness. David used all that he had been given to bless the Lord through blessing His people. We, too, are rich in the goodness of God! Following David’s example, let us be grateful for everything our Father has given us. Let us lead in confident trust in His wisdom and power for the good of others. And let our greatest joy be found in spending time in His presence. – TV
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In Revelation 2, Jesus “walked among the seven gold lampstands” – the churches. He expected them to be beacons of hope, truth, and guidance to the way of eternal life. In each letter, He identified Himself with a unique aspect of His glorified being. He commended each church for their God-honoring deeds. In the case of all but two of the churches, He rebuked the areas where they had failed or were lacking. He encouraged them and offered rewards to those who would listen and take His words to heart. Do you consider Jesus walking through your church? What would those “eyes like a flaming fire” find? What would He commend and rebuke? Where would He offer encouragement? What would His letter to your church say? – TV
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Even with your problems and hardships, God can use you mightily. There are people who need the ministry of someone who has walked in their shoes, and you may be that “someone.” You can offer the gift of compassion in a unique way because of your own unique experiences. Although it’s not the road you would’ve chosen, God can use you in special ways to love, serve, and care for others. What a privilege. – TV
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When the Passover happened, God spared the lives of the firstborn obedient Israelites. Although this gave Him a legitimate claim to the firstborn, He established a practice of the sacrifice of a perfect animal to redeem each one. As long as this practice was in place, the Israelites would remember God’s mercy toward them in sparing their sons and rescuing them from the clutches of Egyptian slavery. They would remember God’s high view of human life – as they were surrounded by pagan nations that practiced human sacrifice. They would look forward to the day when the perfect Lamb of God would pay for all of our sins by willingly allow Himself to die on the cross. Let this help you to see that God – Who is rich in mercy - had a plan for your salvation thousands of years ago. – TV
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“Abundance is about riches, not about money. And if your hands are full of the riches of Christ, how can your heart not be full of the abundant life?” – Ann Voskamp
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“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” – Habakkuk 3:17-18
