Pocket Thoughts - 9/13/24

God * has wonderful plans for His children * is gracious to us when we cry for help * is the God of perfect justice.

*****

A witness describes the details of the places he’s been, the things he’s heard, and the events he’s seen. Jesus was a witness to the glories of heaven – His dwelling place along with His Father before His incarnation. He came to tell the world about that heavenly home He’d left and His Father’s plan to welcome those who would listen to and believe in Him. We have all of the information we need to make a decision to follow Jesus or not.  The question is – are we willing to say “yes” to Him? – TV

*****

John the Baptist knew what his role was in God’s great plan for the redemption of the world – to point others to Jesus. He refused to be dragged into conflict, consumed by jealousy or distracted by drama. John modeled humility, faithfulness, and forthrightness in declaring Who Jesus was. He never lost focus of what his mission was, and he lived to fulfill that mission wholeheartedly. Every believer has a unique ministry and circle of influence. Celebrate the gifts and ministries of your fellow believers, knowing that you all ultimately share in the mission of making Christ known to a lost and broken world. – TV

*****

Jesus, I’m frustrated by how slow I am to recognize small distractions that can lead me away from You. I foolishly dismiss them as having any potential for harm – like a person dismissing “only a few” cancer cells, allowing the disease to completely overtake them. I too easily give myself over to things that seem necessary and prudent and far-sighted. Code for frantic pursuit of being in control. Code for not trusting You. I conveniently forget that You walked this earth and modeled what’s “necessary and prudent and far-sighted” – to trust in the Father. My self-created chaos finds its remedy in focusing on Your face and exercising the wisdom You provide. Jesus, help me to recognize those small distractions before I find myself far from You, confused, and overwhelmed. Help me to drop my imagined self-sufficiency in exchange for Your way of peace and rest, knowing You have everything that matters under control. In Your beautiful Name, amen.

*****

In the kingdom of God, there is no favoritism. We are all sinners saved by His grace – regardless of power, position or possessions in this earthly life. Let us follow God’s example of seeing only the heart – not the distractions of appearance, wealth, and status. – TV

*****

“I wonder too…if the rent in the canvas of our life backdrop, the losses that puncture our world, our own emptiness, might actually become places to see. To see through to God. That that which tears open our souls, those holes that splatter our sight, may actually become the thin, open places to see through the mess of this place to the heart-aching beauty beyond. To Him. To the God Whom we endlessly crave.” – Ann Voskamp

*****

“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He Who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ Since you call on a Father Who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” – 1 Peter 1:14-19