Thursday’s Promise

Fully Forgiven (Daily Refresh, 4-30-26)

Imagine a grand choir echoing a single anthem. Each distinct voice adds to the chorus, creating a symphony filled with anticipation. Their melody spans generations; they sing of a Savior whose name brings forgiveness and hope!

This song of eternity is described by Peter: “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:43 NIV).  

The prophets, whose ancient voices echoed God’s plans and purposes, stood as witnesses to this ultimate promise: Christ’s forgiveness isn’t just a possibility—it’s a reality for all who believe. 

As believers in Jesus Christ, we can find encouragement standing on the foundation laid by these prophetic voices. We stand assured that through the name of Jesus, forgiveness is granted, and reconciliation is made possible with God and others. But we’re not onlookers! We are active participants in this grand choir, singing with hearts full of gratitude, hope, and confidence in the unifying power of Christ’s forgiveness.

Jesus paid the price for your past, present, and future. What would it look like for you to fully embrace this forgiveness for your sins?

My Thoughts

People around me make promises a lot. Some they keep, some they forget to keep and others are just meaningless words to make me think that they will do something that isn’t really in their plan. I think the people who promise the most are the ones who deliver the least. But there is One whose promises can always be trusted, always be counted on, and who will always do exactly what He says. God says He will forgive our sins, and He does. We don’t have to wonder if it’s true; instead we know it is because it’s in God’s Word and God doesn’t lie or make empty promises.

I have heard of people who don’t want to trust God’s promises because they have been so disappointed with people who broke them. I was one of those reluctant to believe anything that I couldn’t see right away. After all, my childhood prepared me to be disappointed in people. But I have found through over fifty years of trusting and believing in God that He is the One that will always do what He says He will do. Promises made, promises kept. You can take that to eternity with you!

How to Pray

I like to pray the scriptures and today I am using the acronym ACTS to show you all an example.

ACTS=

Adoration

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication

Adoration

Adoration is worshipping our Creator for who He is, not what He has done for us.

Confession

I had a roommate in college who kept a written list of all that she needed to confess when she went to confession that weekend. We don’t have to go to a priest to confess because God has opened the way directly to Him through Jesus. No list is needed…just speak from your heart what the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, the things that you know do not please God. Psalm 51 is a prayer of confession by David that I have often used to start my confession time with God.

Thanksgiving

This is the time when I turn up the praise music that has been background during my prayer time and sing along, praising God and thanking Him for all He has done, first for me, then for my family, then friends and finally for those in the world.

Supplication

Supplication is when we ask God for what we need, the things that are overwhelming our hearts and minds. It’s good for me to start supplication with this verse, to remind me that all of God’s answers are because of His grace for us and the salvation that He has provided for us prepares a way for us to approach His throne.

I know it doesn’t fit into the acronym, but I always end my prayers with a praise and thanksgiving again. It’s what I call a “sandwich” prayer. I start with adoration and thanksgiving and end with the same.

I hope that this post has blessed you and helped you to see how approachable and loving our God is. Prayer is not just something one should do on Sunday, in the pew at church, but everyday during your quiet time with God.

Thursday Thoughts

I am listening to praise music as I sit and ponder this verse. If you think about it, there is no place or no time where God is not. Notice that the verse says the NAME of the Lord is to be praised. I have been watching for different names of the Lord as I read my Bible daily. God is so many things to so many different people. I think I need to focus more on who God is and less on what I expect Him to do for me. So, I am choosing to praise His name, not what He does for me. I am thankful for all He does, but I am overcome with awe by all of His names that mean so much to me.

I think that when I first started worshiping God and attending church, the first name of God that I heard was Adonai. There was a song by Amy Grant that was gaining popularity at that time and our pastor told us about Adonai meaning “Lord, Master.” He is my Lord and Master and I am His servant. Yet He calls me friend and His child.

I have often prayed to Jehovah Jireh, the Lord my provider. I don’t just pray for God to meet my financial needs but also my physical, emotional and spiritual ones. He provides all we need if we just trust Him to do so. I think too often we pray and then walk away and try to do things on our own without God’s provision. We need to consistently show our dependence on God. That’s when He shows just how much He can and will provide for us.

Recently, with health issues piling up on me, I have been faced with the name of Jehovah Rophe, God our Healer. God has told me over and over again that His healing may not look like what I am expecting, but He is still working to bring me to wholeness in Him.

I think the name of God that speaks to me the most is Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there. Right there where I am, right when I need Him. Always present, always nearby, always ready to listen and to comfort, to bring peace and restoration.

Is there a name of God that has special significance to you? The more I learn about God, the more I know that I don’t know. I want to learn more every day until one day I am in His presence and will know Him even as I am known.

God bless you as you press into the God who is our rock, the promise keeper and our shepherd in every valley and on every mountain top.

From the End of the Earth

Do you ever feel as though you have reached the end of the road and there is no way to turn back? You just have to jump off the cliff and hope that God is there to catch you. That has been my feeling lately, with one health crisis after another and no real solutions. My answer has not been pain medications since I am allergic to all of them. (Hallelujah for that mercy!) No, my answer has been to immerse myself in God’s word and He has been faithful to console, comfort, advise and just listen. I feel as though many are tired of my constantly saying this is wrong, or that is wrong, so I don’t want to weary you with details. I just want to encourage you that when you think you are in a desolate place where no one can help you, God can and will.

May you rest in Him and find your refuge there just as I am doing. My enemy is my own body rebelling against aging. No matter what your enemy is, God is bigger, better, stronger and able to catch you and to guard you until He calls you home.

Who Is In Control?

Big revelation in church today! (Not really, but actually thought-provoking) I may control my universal remote, but I don’t control the universe…God does!

To go along with this eye-opening, mind-blowing idea, here is something for you to read and ponder, just in case you are not convinced yet.

God Does-Douglas Vandergraph

And if you enjoyed reading this relatively short and conclusive evidence that you can make plans, but God is ultimately in control, you can also watch this video.

You Tube Video: Control of the Universe

Song for the Day from a praise leader whom I listened to regularly over five decades ago.

God Is In Control-Twila Paris

Prayer from the YouVersion Daily Prayer, 4-18-26.

May your day be blessed, your time be redeemed and your relationship with God be one that speaks to your heart and to others.

Jesus Completes What He Starts

This theme has been recurring in my mind this week, that Jesus doesn’t start something and then walk away and forget about it. The Bible says he finishes what he starts.

This morning in my email I got Grant Fishbook’s devotional from Jesus.net and here is the link:

Running from Old Patterns

I like what he says about replacing the old patterns with something new. That reverberated with my spirit and also reminded me that God wants to make all things new.

I hope that you are having a great weekend and taking time to replace old patterns with something new and God-glorifying. God bless you and your family and loved ones!