THINKING GOD’S THOUGHTS
Today’s Reading: Matthew 16-17
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
An hour drive north of the Sea of Galilee is Caesarea Philippi, also known as Banias. Here you can view the remnants of the Temple of Pan. It was here that Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” Peter’s answer to that question is today’s key verse.
Key Verse: Matthew 16:16
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Six verses later Peter actually rebuked Jesus. Jesus tried again and again to tell His disciples that He would be killed and would rise again. For some reason He could not penetrate their preconceived beliefs in the Christ who would overthrow the Romans and establish Israel as a sovereign state. So Peter moved from thinking the thoughts of the Father to thinking his own thoughts, receiving this response from Jesus, “Get behind Me Satan.” Peter’s mind was the battleground in the war between the Father, God, and the liar, Satan. To which voice will you listen? How do you know which voice is truth? The answer is to know God’s thoughts as revealed in His Word. This is the very reason this two-year journey through God’s written Word is so important!
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Please, Holy Spirit, do for me as Jesus promised. Guide me “into all Truth.” Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
In 1954, I rented a hall in a northern Ontario village and began a Sunday School for my public school students and others. People began to regard me as a minister. For example, a lady named May, about 70, showed up at my door and announced, “Win is dead (her railroad-engineer husband). I want you to take his funeral.” I said, “I’ll find a minister.” “No” she said, “He told me that you were the only one who prayed with him, and if you don’t do it, I’ll just stick him in the ground without a service.” I stood in front of the coffin in May’s little cottage and said something like this, “We don’t know why God would take Win.” Actually, Win was 85 and had a heart condition. After the burial, back in my one-room apartment, I confessed that I didn’t know God’s Word well and I took my Bible, opened it, and placed it on my head, saying to God, “With Your Teacher, the Holy Spirit, I will learn to think Your thoughts, and I will then be able to speak with assurance.” Then I went to Bible College and set out on a lifetime commitment to know God’s thoughts. In the first month at the college I was required to memorize 50 Scripture verses. I walked up and down the corridor outside my room hugging my Bible. It became so precious to me.
Daily learning His thoughts,
David
P.S. Our daughter, Elaine Stacey, has the very Bible that I mentioned above. It was a gift to me for Christmas 1952, less than a month after I had made my lifetime decision to follow Christ. I remember that it was falling apart after constant use for years, and I bought a new one. Some time later Elaine asked for my old Bible.
Great scripture, message and photo. Thank You Lord, for giving us the keys of the kingdom of heaven, that whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. How divine are those words from our Saviour. Praying for everyone’s strength, today. His blessings upon you, fellow saints in the Lord.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:35 NIV
Holy Spirit You Are Welcome Here – Heavens Mutambira & Amplified Praise
Divine worship!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q7hMfmVL3I
Amen
What a wonderful exposition. God’s Word is more Precious than any food at the beginning of each day.
That is lovely Robin!
I’m off to see my sister this y. I had to be checked out by doctor yesterday to get an “all clear from virus” report. The visit will be outside 6’ apart @ 11 am (heat of the day). I will take a couple of small umbrellas. Blessings all.
Dear Doreen: I hope you have a good visit with your sister this morning. It will be good her and you. I hope there is some shade outside, but you are wise to take the umbrellas.
Praying for all those that need a special touch today. Thinking of Ger and her situation. I pray the the Lord would help her make the right decisions..
Blessings to all,Eleanor M.
Doreen, I hope you had a lovely visit with Donna Lea
Blessings as you enjoy your visit with your sister!
Amen,Robin.Like David,it is good to nourish our souls with God’s word each morning and feed our bodies later.That is the purpose of this blog.It nourishes us and we should ‘take those loaves’ to nourish the hungry.God bless
Amen
Dear Lord God, thank You for Your Word. Bless all Your children today, and help each one to grow healthy and strong in You. Bless all Your workers and send out more. Give each one boldness, courage and wisdom, and clothe each one in Your love. Put Your armour on each one, and use each in mighty ways. We commit the battle for souls, for Truth, for righteousness, into Your hands, Father, in Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen,Rob.May it be Your will Lord.
Amen, and amen Rob,
Amen!!
Amen, Amen!!!!!
Yes LORD may it be so, Amen
Amen Yes Lord
Holy Spirit guide me in the truth through the word if God. In Jesus name I pray amen.
Amen,Dale.The word of God is our shield.God bless
Amen
Amen, Rob
What He Said
I can’t see the angels near me
But I smell their flowery scent,
Nor can their choir I see
But I know Who heaven sent.
I know that He lives in me
And I know in Him I live
When those about me see
That in them I too forgive.
So each day along your way,
Those you meet along your path,
Be kind in what you say
Then you may quench Satan’s wrath.
So be that ray of sunshine
When the clouds are overhead,
For speaking words divine
Will remind them what He said.
These words started coming to me and I started typing them.Simple but well meant.
Thanks, Bill; they’re encouraging!
Well done Bill, as I have said before you are gifted to write wonderful poetry.
great picture of David, thank you for posting it:
Impetuous Peter, jumps in without thinking;
Lord helps us to study Your Word, study the Word: listen before jumping to conclusions.
A rainy, cold day here today
Thanks you friends for your prayers as I visited my sister in nursing home. I am only allowed 2 visits per month & they are extremely strict about everything. They took my temp & I had to answer many questions in writing. Sis was in her wheelchair on the shaded side of the table & I was glad of my umbrella on the other side. I took a few gifts (which I had but in a plastic bag in the freezer), attempting to kill any possible virus but they took them inside to sanitize them & give her later. I took McDonald’s coffee but that was withheld until she returned inside?!! Anyway the visit was good but I miss hugging her & she me. She kept throwing kisses! Thanks for praying.
Amen to all the posts. Good photo of David hugging his Bible. Love the Word as well and put my hopes in it. Thank you for your concern Eleanor M. Going to have some blood tests. Glad that you had a good visit with your sister Doreen. Have a good evening all.
Amen Ger ❤️