Pocket Thoughts - 8/22/25

God * clothes His children with garments of splendor and strength * will one day return to songs of joy from His people * allowed His Son to be despised and rejected by mankind, a Man of suffering and familiar with pain.

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The dining area in the home of dear friends became the scene of one of Scripture’s most memorable acts of worship while Jesus was on this earth. In John 12, Jesus reclined at the table in the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Unexpectedly, Mary came to Jesus and began to pour a very expensive perfume on His feet. Then Mary began to wipe His feet with her hair. Somehow, she sensed that time with Jesus was coming to an end. All she wanted to do was to express her love for Him in the time He had left. That she anointed His feet and not His head was a display of her humility before Him. Only servants attended to the feet of guests. Impervious to the judgment of those around her, she broke with the etiquette of the day and let her hair down to wipe His feet. Jesus recognized her act as preparation for His burial, and He commended Mary. But Mary’s motive in anointing her Savior and Friend’s feet wasn’t for the accolades. It was for the love. When you have the opportunity, love like Mary, who loved extravagantly. And most of all, love like Jesus, Who loved sacrificially. – TV

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In this present age, we live in a world greatly influenced by Satan, the enemy of God and His people. Deceit, hypocrisy, evil, and all kinds of wickedness surround and ensnare unsuspecting people not living under the hand of God. We as God’s people must be diligent to avoid those same influences while continuing to compassionately model His grace and kindness to the lost. This requires His strength and wisdom as well as personal commitment to purity and the regular practice of true worship – in song and in our lives. Like a moth drawn to the light, those seeking rescue from their sin will be drawn to the life and hope in Christ that we offer to them. – TV

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Moses’ father-in-law Jethro had been an observer of God’s activity in the life of his son-in-law for over 40 years. He knew of God but didn’t know God. When he came to visit, he listened intently as Moses recalled all that God had done for Israel and how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. He marveled at how God had rescued His people, and his heart was changed. Fully convinced that God was Who He claimed to be, Jethro said, “Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods…” Then he joined with Moses, Aaron, and the elders in a sacrificial meal of celebration. Often, the most challenging people to share our faith with are family members. This is our opportunity to love like Jesus. Accept them as they are, and ask God to help you see open windows where the light of His love can shine into their lives – through both your actions and your words. Don’t shy away from talking about what God is doing in your life. Your stories of His goodness may be exactly what God will use to draw them to Him. – TV

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Lord, this week I was reminded – again! – of just how precious good, godly friendships are! Some take years to bloom and blossom. Some – by Your handiwork – flourish almost instantly. All are absolutely life-giving! How gracious of You to allow me insight into Your character through the hearts of others – faithfulness, kindness, compassion, transparency, presence, and so much more! Even at just a human level, these slivers of glory shine Your light into my life. Thank You for giving me eyes to see You in my friends. Thank You for the countless ways their obedience to Your Word stands as a testimony to Your work in their lives and in this world – rejoicing with those who rejoice, mourning with those who mourn, carrying one another’s burdens, speaking words that are helpful for building others up according to their needs, spurring one another on toward love and good deeds. Thank You that my belief in Jesus’ death and resurrection has been credited to me as righteousness, allowing me to call You “Friend.” Help me to love, bless, and appreciate the friends You’ve brought into my life. You are enough, but I thank You for the bonus of these precious souls intertwined with mine – for my good and Your glory. In Jesus’ beautiful Name, amen.

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“The more perfect our friendship with God becomes, the simpler our lives will be. Those formalities that are so necessary to keep a casual friendship alive may be dispensed with when true friends sit in each other’s presence.” – A.W. Tozer

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“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.” – Proverbs 27:9