Pocket Thoughts - 8/8/25

God * chases away the enemies of those who’ve taken His instructions to heart * crowns His rescued ones with everlasting joy * is the Lord our God, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar – the Lord Almighty is His name!

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In Psalm 29, David reflected on the power of the voice of the Lord as he sat through a thunderstorm. He touted the incredible majesty and glory of God. The wildness of the floods, the splintering of huge trees, the blinding flashes of lightning, deafening thunder over the waters, winds that twist mighty oaks and strip the forests bare – the fiercest forces of nature are under the control of God’s voice. The “voice of the Lord” is a mighty, holy voice. It draws out of us our deepest worship and a healthy, reverent fear of our God. How good it is to know that this awesome God – our forever King – desires to give us His strength and bless us with His peace! (Psalm 29:11) You, child of God, can walk confidently through this life as you submit to the voice of the Lord and avail yourself of His power. – TV

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Sin is a hard master. It controls our every thought, word, and deed, causing us to live in utter rebellion against a holy God. Jesus Christ provides the only avenue of freedom from sin’s domination. He is the Truth – revealing the high and perfect standard of righteousness that we can’t live up to on our own. He invites us to accept His offer to become our new King, entering a world of true life and service to God and His people. As true children of God, we begin the process of becoming our true selves – the people God created us to be outside of sin’s influence. The enemy will continue – in fact, will ramp up – his efforts to deceive, distract, and dominate us, but we can trust that “no one can snatch (us) out of (the) Father’s hand.” Freedom in the Son is a prayer away. Won’t you welcome your new King today? – TV

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As each of the first four seals in Revelation 6 is broken open, a horse and rider come out. The four horses are different colors, and their riders each wield a different power. Together, they bring lawlessness, anarchy, food scarcity, and death to a quarter of the earth’s population. We see these powers erupting today in pockets all over the world. These powers serve as warning signs. While disturbing, what we’re experiencing is actually an expression of God’s mercy. He’s giving opportunity for the lost to run to Him for salvation. As believers, we hold the hope of heaven. Let us be about the business of the gospel while there’s still time. Who can you share God’s love with today? – TV

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God, you tell me in Philippians 4:8 to set my attention on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable,” anything that’s “excellent or praiseworthy.” These beautiful words describe beautiful You, and in You I find my peace. Prompt me to tarry just a bit longer in communion with You. Entreat me to rest for a few moments more. Cause me to linger in the light of Your love. Let there be no rush to leave You. When the day calls to me, surprise me with Your presence in the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Let my soul cry out, “There You are!” As I behold You, may I be compelled to share You with a world grown dim and dull. I ask this in the beautiful Name of Jesus. Amen.

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“The ultimate test of our spirituality is the measure of our amazement at the grace of God.” – Martyn  Lloyd-Jones

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“Now on His way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As He was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met Him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us!’ When He saw them, He said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him – and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then He said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’” – Luke 17:11-19