Pocket Thoughts - 8/23/24

God * longs to be gracious to us, even in our rebellion * is our strength every morning * upholds Zion’s cause.

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This scene is found in John 2. Foreigners who came to worship during Passover found it impossible because merchants and money changers had taken over the Court of Gentiles. The atmosphere was loud and busy. The business people made a mockery of a space intended for worshiping God. Greed and dishonesty abounded as they took advantage of the travelers who were dependent on their services. Jesus was rightly outraged by the scene He found when He arrived at the temple. His Father’s house was being desecrated by commerce. As God’s Son, He had the authority to clear the temple area. He didn’t respond half-heartedly when His Father was shown disrespect. He was consumed with righteous anger, and He acted on it. Only Jesus is able to handle anger in a righteous manner. When you see injustice or God and His Name being dishonored, use your indignation to fuel action that will make a difference – not to take vengeance. - TV

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The Bible says Jesus “had to go” through Samaria – interesting because any self-respecting Jew always went to the trouble to take the long way around Samaria to avoid passing through an area held in great contempt by the Jews. Jesus broke with societal norms to be able to share His message with a people who were thirsty for their Messiah – beginning with an immoral woman at Jacob’s well. He “had to go” through Samaria to bring salvation to its people. Don’t let the reputation of a person or area keep you from sharing God’s love. This may be the very situation to which He has called you. (John 4:1-26) – TV

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Father, when I first fell into Your arms of grace, I had grand visions of the plans Jesus would have for me! As time went on, my failures and insecurities caused me to doubt just exactly what those plans were. I let my experiences and disappointments cloud the majesty of the mission You had laid out for me. Oh, if I had only clung to what I knew to be true in those early days! Your plans for me never waivered. When I wandered from You, I wandered from Your plans. The way back to Your plans was to find my way back to You. Yes, Your plans for me are holy and important, but You’ve helped me to see that knowing and pursuing intimacy with You causes those plans to fall into place. The true work is to know You. The works of my hands – the ones You prepared in advance for me to do (Ephesians 2:10) – will come about as I pursue the true work. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” The true work in Paul’s life produced the work of his hands which in turn brought about the spread of the gospel like a wildfire. Thank you that the close relationship Paul had with You and his clear sense of purpose are just as much for me as they were for him. Help me, Father, to seek You first and to seek You most every day of my life. Then I’ll be fit for whatever work You have for me. In the beautiful Name of Jesus, amen.

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Psalm 18:3-19 is an epic depiction of our great need for rescue, the strength of our enemy, and the omnipotence of our God. He saves us out of His great mercy, compassion, and love. He’s the Father Who recognizes our frailty, weakness, and vulnerability, and He reaches down to help us – the ones He delights in. – TV

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“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers met together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become ‘unity’ conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.” – A.W. Tozer

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“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26