Change Your Thoughts #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Change Your Thoughts #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." -Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)

Our thoughts have incredible power to shape our lives. The Bible tells us that as a person thinks in their heart, so they are. In other words, our inner thought life determines the course and quality of our outer lives.

The Israelites are a prime example. After being miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt, their minds remained imprisoned by negative thinking. Despite God's daily supernatural provision, they grumbled and complained, viewing their circumstances through the lens of lack and limitation.

How often do we fall into the same trap? We face each day thinking "I have to go to work" or "I have to deal with this problem" rather than "I get to use my abilities to provide for my family" and "I have an opportunity to grow and overcome challenges."

When we change our perspective, we change our reality. Choosing to think hope-filled, positive thoughts aligns us with God's goodness and primes us to receive His blessings. As Jesus said, "According to your faith be it unto you." (Matthew 9:29)

Today, refuse to be held captive by negative thought patterns. Win the battle in your mind by taking each thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Fix your thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8). As you transform your thinking, expect to see your life transformed!

Let's pray: "Lord, forgive me for negative thoughts that have held me back. I choose to think as You think - thoughts of hope and blessing. Renew my mind and help me view my life through eyes of faith. In Jesus' name, Amen."

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Breaking Free Eoh 4:32 #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Breaking Free Eoh 4:32 #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

Title: Unlocking the Shackles of Bitterness: The Power of Forgiveness

Verse: "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." - Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)

Hey friend, I want to share something with you that's been on my heart lately. I've been thinking a lot about forgiveness and how challenging it can be, especially when we've been deeply hurt by someone. But as I was studying for a sermon the other day, I realized just how essential forgiveness is for our spiritual growth and freedom.

You know, we all face situations where we're wronged and treated unfairly. It's so easy to hold onto bitterness and resentment in those moments, but God calls us to a higher standard.  It has been said forgiveness is like a key that unlocks the shackles of bitterness, allowing both the offender and the offended to walk in freedom. That really spoke to me.

I was struck by how the Apostle Paul urged the Corinthian church to forgive and comfort the man who had caused them grief, lest he be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. It reminded me that we need to extend forgiveness even when it's hard, considering ourselves lest we also be tempted.

My Father in law taught me this analogy of a big dog walking down the road, not stopping to bite every little chihuahua that barks at him. It made me think about how often I let the actions of others dictate my peace and progress. As Christians, we shouldn't attend every fight we're invited to, you know?

Now, forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting the wrong done to us or immediately restoring trust. But it does mean releasing the burden of bitterness and resentment, choosing to forgive as Christ has forgiven us. It's a process that requires God's help and a daily decision to let go of the rope of unforgiveness.

Another thing to remember is that we're not always the hero in everyone's story. We all have moments where we might be seen as villains, even if we didn't mean to be. Recognizing this helps me extend grace and forgiveness to others, just as I would want for myself.

At the end of the day, forgiveness is a high calling that requires the strength and grace of God. As we seek to forgive others and release the weight of bitterness, we can experience the freedom and joy that comes from walking in obedience to Christ. I want to embrace the power of forgiveness, even when it's challenging, and reflect Jesus' love to a world that desperately needs His grace.

So, my friend, let's encourage each other to keep unlocking those shackles of bitterness and walking in the freedom of forgiveness. It's not easy, but with God's help, we can do it together.

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Back To Bethel Gen 35:1 #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Back To Bethel Gen 35:1 #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

Back to Bethel

King James Version (Genesis 35:1)

"And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother."

In the journey of life, there are moments when we encounter God in profound ways. These are the Bethel moments– the times when heaven touches earth, and our hearts are forever changed. But as time passes, we often drift away from those sacred places and lose sight of the impact they had on our lives.

When Jacob received this divine instruction to return to Bethel, it wasn't just about revisiting a physical location. It was a call to reconnect with the God who had met him there. Bethel was the place where Jacob had seen the ladder reaching to heaven, where angels ascended and descended. It was a place of encounter, revelation, and transformation.

Similarly, in our lives, there are Bethel moments – times when God revealed Himself, spoke to our hearts, and changed our course. Maybe it was during a worship service, a quiet prayer, or a moment of crisis. These are the places where we felt His presence, heard His voice, and knew we were not alone.

But life has a way of pulling us away. We get busy, distracted, and sometimes wounded. We forget the promises made at Bethel. We lose sight of the altar we built there. And in the process, we disconnect from the God who met us.

Yet, just as God instructed Jacob to return to Bethel, He invites us to do the same. It's not about physical travel; it's about a heart journey. We need to go back to those sacred moments, those altars of encounter, and rekindle our relationship with God.

And it's not just about us. Bethel was also a place of reconciliation for Jacob. It was where he made peace with Esau, the brother he had deceived. Going back to Bethel meant facing the past, forgiving, and rebuilding broken relationships.

Likewise, as we return to our spiritual Bethels, we may find people waiting – those who impacted our lives, those we need to forgive, and those we need to embrace. It's a place of healing, restoration, and renewed connections.

So, let's heed the call: "Arise, go up to Bethel." Let's revisit those moments of encounter, build new altars, and reconnect with God. And as we do, may we also find reconciliation with others – for Bethel is not just a place; it's a sacred space where heaven meets earth and hearts are forever changed.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help us return to our spiritual Bethels. Remind us of the moments when You touched our lives. Rekindle our passion, renew our faith, and restore broken relationships. In Jesus' name, amen.

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A Quiet Comfort 2 Cor 1:3-4 #RTTBROS #NightlightA Quiet Comfort

A Quiet Comfort 2 Cor 1:3-4  #RTTBROS #Nightlight
A Quiet Comfort

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;"- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

I was listening to a young mom talk about an exercise where she promised herself she would write one positive thing that happened to her down on a list at the end of each day.  she was doing really good until one day in May she miscarried Twins and had to come home and tell her other children who knew she was expecting the devastating news. She told herself she wasn't going to "play this stupid game" of writing the positive thing.  She had made a promise to herself so she did it anyway.  She wrote down "I liked the way my husband tucked me into bed after I got home from the hospital. It made me feel loved.". She said that list making plan helped her get through that crisis time. 

In the quiet moments of despair, when the world seems to crumble and joy feels like a distant memory, it is the tender mercies of our loved ones that can become the balm for our aching hearts. The young mother's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the power of love, and the strength found in the promises we make to ourselves.

As she faced the heart-wrenching loss of her unborn twins, the ritual of finding one positive thing each day became a lifeline—a beacon of hope in the darkest of times. It was not just about finding joy, but about recognizing the presence of love even when it seemed elusive.

Her husband's simple act of tucking her into bed was a whisper of God's comfort, a reminder that she was not alone in her grief. The warmth of that gesture wrapped around her like a blanket, offering solace and a sense of being cherished.

This devotion is an invitation to all who grieve, who suffer, and who struggle to find a glimmer of light in their trials. Let us hold fast to the small acts of kindness, the gentle words, and the quiet support that come our way. For in these, we find the strength to endure, the courage to heal, and the hope to carry on.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."- Psalms 23:4

May we all, like the young mother, find our comfort in the love that surrounds us, and may we emerge from our valleys of shadows with a renewed spirit and a heart ready to embrace the joys that await us.

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Prelude Of Rest Gen 1:5 #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Prelude Of Rest Gen 1:5 #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

Prelude of Rest

Genesis 1:5 (KJV)

"And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day."

As we reflect upon the divine order of creation, we find a profound principle woven into the fabric of time itself: the day begins not with the sunrise, but with the sunset. The sacred rhythm established by our Creator teaches us that preparation for what is to come starts in the quiet moments of the evening.

In the hush of twilight, we are invited to lay down the burdens of the day that has passed and turn our hearts toward the promise of the new day. It is in this sacred space that we can align our attitudes with the peace that surpasses understanding, setting our intentions and plans under the watchful care of the Almighty.

Just as the Lord ordained rest before work in the creation narrative, so too should we embrace rest as the starting point of our endeavors. By resting in God's presence, we recharge our spirits and awaken to a day already blessed by His grace. And as we follow the example of our Creator, who rested on the seventh day, we acknowledge that our strength is renewed not in ceaseless toil, but in restorative rest.

Let us, therefore, begin each day the night before, casting our cares upon Him who cares for us, and rising with the dawn, ready to step into the divine story He has written for us. For in the pattern of creation, we find the blueprint for a life lived in harmony with the Creator's design—a life of purpose, peace, and rest.

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Battling Life Dismorphia 1 Thess 5:18 #RTTBROS #Nightligh

Battling Life Dismorphia 1 Thess 5:18  #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

Battling Life Dismorphia 

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." - **1 Thessalonians 5:18** (KJV)

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it's easy to overlook the simple blessings that each day brings. We live in an era of unprecedented comfort and convenience, a stark contrast to the lives of those who came before us. Yet, despite our wealth and technological advances, contentment often eludes us. This phenomenon, known as "life dysmorphia," stems from the hedonic treadmill – the idea that no matter how much we acquire or achieve, our level of happiness tends to return to a baseline over time.

As we reflect on this, let's turn our hearts to gratitude. A century ago, the luxury of a hot shower was unimaginable to most. Today, it's a daily ritual that we scarcely notice. But imagine for a moment life without it – the warmth, the cleansing, the comfort it provides. It's a small miracle, a gift of modernity that we should cherish.

Let us then approach each day with a renewed sense of appreciation. Let's be mindful of the blessings that we often take for granted and remember that every good gift comes from above. By adopting an attitude of gratitude, we align ourselves with God's will and open our hearts to the true richness of life – a richness that isn't measured in material wealth, but in love, joy, and thankfulness.

May we not only count our blessings but also make our blessings count, by sharing our abundance with others and spreading the warmth of God's love wherever we go. For in giving, we receive, and in being thankful, we find joy.

Joy is counting your blessing and subtracting envy. 

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Fearless PS. 91:5 #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Fearless PS. 91:5 #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

 Fearless in the Face of Night's Terrors

"Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;" (Psalm 91:5, KJV)

In our modern world, the "terror by night" may manifest in various forms – the blaring of a fire alarm, the sound of a break-in, the sudden onset of illness, or the devastating news of a loved one's passing. We live in a world filled with sorrow and the ever-present specter of death. It's natural to anticipate facing hardships and difficulties, whether in the dark of night or the brightness of day. However, as believers, we are promised that we need not be afraid, no matter what terror we may encounter.

But why should we, as children of God, be fearless in the face of these terrors? The answer lies in the comforting truth that our Heavenly Father is always with us, throughout even the loneliest and darkest of hours. He is our omnipotent Watchman, our tireless Guardian, and our faithful Friend. Nothing can happen without His sovereign permission, and even the depths of hell are subject to His authority. The darkness is as clear as day to Him, and He has promised to be a wall of fire around His people – an impenetrable barrier against all harm.

While those who do not believe in Christ may have reason to fear, with a Holy God above, a guilty conscience within, and a real Hell below, we who find our rest in Jesus are saved from these terrors by His abundant mercy. If we give in to baseless fears, we risk dishonoring our testimony and causing others to question the authenticity of our faith. Instead, we must stand firm, resisting the temptation to be afraid, lest we grieve the Holy Spirit through our lack of trust.

So, let us cast aside all gloomy thoughts and unfounded fears. God has not forgotten to be gracious, nor has He withheld His mercy. Even if our souls are shrouded in darkness, we need not be terrified, for the God of love remains unchanging.

Though the night may be dark and dreary, the darkness cannot hide us from our loving Father. He is the One who, tirelessly, watches over His children with a protective gaze. Take heart, for in Him, we can find peace and security, even in the midst of life's most terrifying moments.

A Faith that can't be tested can't be trusted!

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