Pocket Thoughts - 8/9/24
God * blesses those who wait on Him * is the voice telling us, “This is the way; walk in it.” * comes with power and rules with a mighty arm.
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The glory and beauty of God’s creation and the intricacies and details of natural order provide all the evidence necessary to believe in our Creator God. Worship is the overflow of our response to His majesty and craftsmanship - on display for all to see, enjoy, and be in awe of Him. Truly, we are “without excuse” (Romans 1:20) if we deny His existence and His authority over the world. – TV
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While Pharaoh continued to be unyielding to God’s demand to let His people go, some Egyptians responded to God with respect and obedience. They saw the power of the Lord, and they believed. (Exodus 9:20-21) God is on full display in this world, yet most choose to ignore His existence, power, and involvement. Denying and defying the living God puts you in a very dangerous position. God is a merciful God, but His justice demands judgment for those who oppose Him. Respond to His mercy with a changed heart and humble obedience. – TV
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Good Father, one of my favorite times of day is when I open my gratitude journal and reflect on the many blessings you’ve allowed to come my way within the last 24 hours. Recording Your goodness reminds me always of Your hesed - Your faithful lovingkindness. Generous Giver that You are, I’m sad to say that I still manage to catch myself distracted by Your gifts rather than focused on Your face. Help me to live out my gratitude through humility and selfless service. Help me to enjoy You wholeheartedly. May Your beautiful gifts only fill the periphery of my life – not serve as the epicenter. Constantly take my face in Your firm, gentle hands, and cause my eyes to lock on Yours. May that intense gaze empower me to shift my priorities, my activities, and my speech back in line with Your holiness. Lord, how I delight in You! How I appreciate each gift from Your gracious hands! Keep me vigilant against entitlement. Keep me ever grateful for Your love. May I steward this good life that You’ve given me with a glad heart. When I find myself in a season of such abundance, don’t let me be lazy and self-indulgent. Rather, prompt me to use my time to pray and prepare for the days ahead. In the beautiful Name of Jesus, I offer You my joyful thanks. Amen.
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In Bible times, a bondservant was someone who willingly chose for the entirety of his life to remain in servitude to his master out of respect and appreciation. James (the author of the book of James and the brother of Jesus) chose to be counted among the bondservants of Christ. There he found true freedom. James willingly laid aside his own rights to follow God’s will. He pledged his loyalty to God – at the cost of his life. The freedom and eternal rewards God offers are worth the sacrifice of giving yourself as a bondservant in a lifetime of service to Him. – TV
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“He who does not long to know more of Christ, knows nothing of Him yet. Whoever has sipped this wine will thirst for more, for although Christ does satisfy, yet it is such a satisfaction that the appetite is not choked, but whetted…If you do not desire to know Him better, then you love Him not, for love always cries, ‘Nearer, nearer.’ Absence from Christ is hell; but the presence of Jesus is heaven. Do not rest content without an increasing acquaintance with Jesus.” – Charles H. Spurgeon
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“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” – Lamentations 3:19-26
