Pocket Thoughts - 7/26/24
God * brings healing, wholeness, and rejoicing * lays a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation for those who rely on it * is the Potter, and we are the clay.
*****
Society encourages us to be assertive and autonomous, pursuing self-satisfaction and personal goals above all else – making ourselves into our own gods. Don’t abuse your freedom in Christ. Instead, like Him, put your life in the Father’s hands, submitting to His direction and leading. The Father’s path leads to life and flourishing – for your good and for His glory. - TV
*****
Being able to keep your speech in check is a good indicator of your spiritual strength. What you say and what you don’t say can have a major impact for good or evil. Rely on the Holy Spirit to help you to speak words of life, truth, and kindness. Resist the enemy’s temptation to gossip, cause division, and tear down others. The Holy Spirit is able to help you practice self-control so that your words are a carefully timed blessing. - TV
*****
Father, my heart is grateful for Your kindness toward me. You know what delights me, and You take great pleasure in sending reminders of Your love that speak to me in very specific, very tender ways. You made me. You know me. You love me – with an everlasting, personal love. And I? Can I say that I’m a great student of what delights You? Is my heart set on bringing You pleasure? Do I speak words that shine a positive light on Your character and on Your mission to offer salvation to the lost – of whom I was once one? Have I let my guard down in keeping my motives pure? Have I allowed wanderlust to entice me away from Your paths of righteousness? Oh, God, help me to love You as You love me! Your love is unwavering – may I be faithful to You. Your love is perfect – may I obey You. Your love is sure – may I trust You. Your love saves – may I rejoice in You. Father, Your love is deep and rich and beautiful – may I find full satisfaction in nothing and no one else. Joy of all joys – I have eternity to learn to love You more! All praise to You in the beautiful Name of Jesus, amen.
*****
The Israelites were so discouraged by their hard circumstances, they refused to receive Moses’ message from God. Their focus was on their feelings rather than on the true promises of God. They were looking around instead of looking up, and they were missing God. Emotions are His gift to us, but they aren’t our master. Follow Him – regardless of your circumstances or feelings. He’ll never fail to lead you well. – TV
*****
“The saint who is intimate with Jesus will never leave impressions of himself, but only the impression that Jesus is having unhindered way, because the last abyss of his nature has been satisfied by Jesus. The only impression left by such a life is that of the strong, calm sanity that Our Lord gives to those who are intimate with Him.” – Oswald Chambers
*****
“When (Jacob) reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord, and He said: ‘I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.’” – Genesis 28:11-15
