God Thinks About You
Psalm 139:17 (NLT)
“How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!”
This very moment, God is thinking about you.
He thought about you before you were born. He thought about you when you took your first steps, when you had your first day at school, and through every moment of your life.
And His thoughts about you are not just a few.
Psalm 139:17 (NKJV)
“How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!”
The thoughts God has toward you are filled with blessings.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
And God’s thoughts toward you can be trusted. Even when things seem dark to us, we can trust that He knows what is best and has our ultimate good in mind.
Isaiah 55:8–9 (NKJV)
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
So be assured: your Heavenly Father thinks about you, cares about you, and has your best interests at heart.
What a wonderful thought—that the God who created the heavens and the earth thinks about you.
And He has made a way for you to know Him by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Richard Templin Hancock
Encouraging you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily.
Christian - forgiven - grateful
Welcome. My name is Richard Templin Hancock and I’m here to encourage you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily. I'm glad you're here—let's walk this path together.
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He Made Us
He Made Us
Psalm 100:3 (KJV)
“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
“...He hath made us...” That phrase caught my attention.
God has made us who we are as individual human beings. And He has made us born again—something we could never do on our own, no matter how hard we might try.
Ephesians 2:1 (NKJV) says:
“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”
We are God’s handiwork from beginning to end. From our mother’s womb, to our first breath, to our spiritual rebirth, it is all from the hand of our Heavenly Father.
As Ephesians 2:4–7 (NKJV) reminds us:
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
What a powerful reminder!
God made us, and through Jesus Christ, He has made us spiritually alive. Our salvation is not something we accomplished ourselves. It is the work of God’s grace through Jesus.
Being reminded of all this should bring reassurance to our hearts. Our today and our future are in God's good hands.
So whatever you may be facing today, remember: He made you, He loves you, and in Christ, He is still working in your life.
Psalm 100:3 (KJV)
“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
“...He hath made us...” That phrase caught my attention.
God has made us who we are as individual human beings. And He has made us born again—something we could never do on our own, no matter how hard we might try.
Ephesians 2:1 (NKJV) says:
“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”
We are God’s handiwork from beginning to end. From our mother’s womb, to our first breath, to our spiritual rebirth, it is all from the hand of our Heavenly Father.
As Ephesians 2:4–7 (NKJV) reminds us:
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
What a powerful reminder!
God made us, and through Jesus Christ, He has made us spiritually alive. Our salvation is not something we accomplished ourselves. It is the work of God’s grace through Jesus.
Being reminded of all this should bring reassurance to our hearts. Our today and our future are in God's good hands.
So whatever you may be facing today, remember: He made you, He loves you, and in Christ, He is still working in your life.
All praise and glory be to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God who loved us so much He sent us the Messiah, Jesus.
Don't Settle for a Counterfeit
Don't Settle for a Counterfeit
Let’s listen to God’s Word in 2 Corinthians 11:4:
“For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” — 2 Corinthians 11:4 (NKJV)
As I read this passage, I’m reminded of how important it is that we know the real Jesus and the truth of His Word.
Paul warned the church about false teachers who were presenting another Jesus and another gospel. And that warning is still important for us today.
There are many voices talking about Jesus, but not every message about Jesus is the truth. Some present a Jesus who never confronts sin. Others preach blessings without repentance, or salvation without following Christ.
We have to be careful not to settle for a counterfeit.
The real Jesus is the eternal Son of God who came into this world, died for our sins, rose from the grave, and calls us to repent, believe in Him, and follow Him.
The true gospel is the good news that we are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
So, how do we recognize what is true?
We compare everything we hear with God’s Word. Test the sermons, books, podcasts, and teachings we listen to against the truth of Scripture.
May you find joy in following the real Jesus—the One who loves you so much that He came to earth to show us the way of God and take the punishment for your sins. Be blessed as you look to Him right now.
Let’s listen to God’s Word in 2 Corinthians 11:4:
“For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” — 2 Corinthians 11:4 (NKJV)
As I read this passage, I’m reminded of how important it is that we know the real Jesus and the truth of His Word.
Paul warned the church about false teachers who were presenting another Jesus and another gospel. And that warning is still important for us today.
There are many voices talking about Jesus, but not every message about Jesus is the truth. Some present a Jesus who never confronts sin. Others preach blessings without repentance, or salvation without following Christ.
We have to be careful not to settle for a counterfeit.
The real Jesus is the eternal Son of God who came into this world, died for our sins, rose from the grave, and calls us to repent, believe in Him, and follow Him.
The true gospel is the good news that we are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
So, how do we recognize what is true?
We compare everything we hear with God’s Word. Test the sermons, books, podcasts, and teachings we listen to against the truth of Scripture.
May you find joy in following the real Jesus—the One who loves you so much that He came to earth to show us the way of God and take the punishment for your sins. Be blessed as you look to Him right now.
Ready for the Master's Return
Ready for the Master's Return
Luke 12:35 NKJV
“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning.”
Ready for the Master’s Return.
In Jesus’ day, people would gather up their long robes and fasten them with a belt before working, traveling, or preparing for battle. It was a picture of being ready. A burning lamp represented someone who was watching, alert, and expecting someone to arrive.
Jesus is calling us to live with that same attitude today.
As followers of Jesus, we are not to drift through life spiritually asleep or become distracted by the things of this world. We are called to be ready—faithfully serving Jesus, walking in obedience to His Word, loving others, and keeping our eyes fixed on Him.
Every day God gives us is another opportunity to live for Jesus. We can encourage someone who is hurting, share the Good News of the Gospel, show the love of Christ, and faithfully use the gifts God has entrusted to us.
We don't know the day or hour when Jesus will return, but we know He is coming again.
When the Master returns, may He find us faithfully following Him.
So today, let's keep our heart prepared, our faith strong, and our hope fixed on Christ.
The Master is coming, and what a joyful day that will be for those who are ready!
Luke 12:35 NKJV
“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning.”
Ready for the Master’s Return.
In Jesus’ day, people would gather up their long robes and fasten them with a belt before working, traveling, or preparing for battle. It was a picture of being ready. A burning lamp represented someone who was watching, alert, and expecting someone to arrive.
Jesus is calling us to live with that same attitude today.
As followers of Jesus, we are not to drift through life spiritually asleep or become distracted by the things of this world. We are called to be ready—faithfully serving Jesus, walking in obedience to His Word, loving others, and keeping our eyes fixed on Him.
Every day God gives us is another opportunity to live for Jesus. We can encourage someone who is hurting, share the Good News of the Gospel, show the love of Christ, and faithfully use the gifts God has entrusted to us.
We don't know the day or hour when Jesus will return, but we know He is coming again.
When the Master returns, may He find us faithfully following Him.
So today, let's keep our heart prepared, our faith strong, and our hope fixed on Christ.
The Master is coming, and what a joyful day that will be for those who are ready!
He Restores Your Heart
He Restores Your Heart
Let's listen to God's Word in Deuteronomy:
"And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live."
— Deuteronomy 30:6 (KJV)
When we realize we've let sin creep in and feel that broken fellowship with God, there is a way back.
When God gave this message to His people, they were in a season of deep spiritual drift. Yet, the Lord didn't abandon them. Instead, He promised to bring them back, restore them, and perform a spiritual miracle. He promised to circumcise their hearts.
That is the ultimate spiritual heart surgery.
In our own strength, we cannot fix our own pride, our stubbornness, or our cold attitudes. Outward rules and religious performance can never change who we are on the inside. But when we call out to Jesus, He does the deep, inward work that we could never do for ourselves. He cuts away our spiritual hardness, softens us with His grace, and fills us with a genuine, burning love for Him.
Let's call out to our Savior for this heart surgery today. Let's believe that He will do exactly what He promised, and let's walk fresh and anew with our God today.
Let's listen to God's Word in Deuteronomy:
"And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live."
— Deuteronomy 30:6 (KJV)
When we realize we've let sin creep in and feel that broken fellowship with God, there is a way back.
When God gave this message to His people, they were in a season of deep spiritual drift. Yet, the Lord didn't abandon them. Instead, He promised to bring them back, restore them, and perform a spiritual miracle. He promised to circumcise their hearts.
That is the ultimate spiritual heart surgery.
In our own strength, we cannot fix our own pride, our stubbornness, or our cold attitudes. Outward rules and religious performance can never change who we are on the inside. But when we call out to Jesus, He does the deep, inward work that we could never do for ourselves. He cuts away our spiritual hardness, softens us with His grace, and fills us with a genuine, burning love for Him.
Let's call out to our Savior for this heart surgery today. Let's believe that He will do exactly what He promised, and let's walk fresh and anew with our God today.
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