Category: <span>thoughts by Alec Niemi</span>


I just can’t get enough of the view of the mountain.

Every morning when I get up it is the first thing I look for. Some days it is hidden in the clouds but this morning it was there. The fog spread across the valley floor but rising above it are the snow-capped peaks of Mount Baker. A reminder that even though I don’t see it all the time it is still there in all its’ splendour.

My prayer for you

I pray that you are trusting in the Lord, making you like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever because as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds you now and forevermore. I ask the Lord to be good to you, for you are good and upright in heart.” Amen.   Psalm 125:1-4

By Alec Niemi
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FURTHER READING

Stay Near to God – by Darren Hewer

• Come Near to God – by Gail Rodgers

Near – by Kathy Cheek

God Is Near – by Max Lucado

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“The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” Luke17:5

When Jesus taught His disciples that they needed to forgive seven times a day if they were asked to forgive. The disciples’ response to Jesus was, “Increase our faith!”

Jesus then went on to say that,

If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.”
Luke 17:6

The disciples were thinking that they needed more faith to be able to forgive more; Jesus was teaching them that it was ‘quality,’ not ‘quantity,’ that mattered. Jesus wanted them to understand that it was their reliance on Him, the master, for faith that empowered them with the ability to forgive. Even just a little bit of faith!

Heavenly Father please increase our faith. Empower us with your Holy Spirit that we might forgive when we are asked to. In Jesus name, amen.

by Alec Niemi
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FURTHER READING

The Kind of Faith that Pleases God

•  Overcoming Unbelief 

God is Able


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“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34


As we go into the New Year let’s be retrospective and introspective. Yes, look back and look inward. Let’s be sure to take time to examine ourselves and the work of Christ in our lives to see if our treasure and our heart are synchronized.

In 1 Corinthians 11:28 we are told to examine ourselves before communing with the Lord. Make this self examination a time of spiritual reflection and soul searching. We must ask the Holy Spirit to take away all the things we placed in God’s way throughout this last year.

We must then allow Jesus to minister His cleansing and healing. And as we do, God transforms our thoughts, emotions, desires, and actions, aligning our treasure with our heart.

My Prayer for us this Week

Lord we tremble and do not sin; when we are on our beds, we search our hearts and are silent. We offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in you LORD. In Jesus name, amen.” Psalm 4:4 & 5

by Alec Niemi
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Further Reading

Treasures in Darkness – by Vonette Bright

Life’s Greatest Investment – by Bill Bright

The Treasure of His Presence – by Julie Cosgrove


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thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by Men


Leona Von Brethorst song “I Will Enter His Gates“, is a great song for thanksgiving because it leaves us rejoicing.

I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart,
I will enter His courts with praise!
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made,
I will rejoice for He has made me glad.

The following note is from an eleven year old who attended day camp this summer.

My commitment to God

Last week at camp, I gave my life to Jesus again. I’ve always loved Jesus, but this time it was different. This time I wanted it to be my own decision, not something my family tells me to do. I want to love others and God. In the past, I have been mean to my sisters. I want this to change. I felt really connected to God this past week, and I’m wanting to learn how to stay connected all my life. I soon want to be baptized.

Pontius Pilate washed his hands of Jesus’ case, symbolizing that he wanted nothing to do with it. I want to do the same thing, except with my sinful life. I want to wash away all my sins and be a follower of Christ.

Zion.

We are even more thankful and rejoicing because that eleven year old is our grandson.

My prayer for us this week

Lord we shout to you with joy. We worship you our Lord with gladness; and come before you with joyful songs. We know that you Lord are God. It is you who made us, and we are yours; we are your people, the sheep of your pasture. We enter your gates with thanksgiving and your courts with praise; giving thanks to you and your name.  For you, our Lord are good and your love endures forever; your faithfulness continues through all generations. Amen. Psalm 100:1-5

By Alec Niemi
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Further Reading

•  Give Thanks in ALL Circumstances? #1 by Muriel Larsen

•  Give Thanks in ALL Circumstances?  #2 by Helen Lescheid

•  The Power of Thanksgiving

•  Salvation Explained

 

thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by Men


“And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming. “1 John 2:28


Wow! What a challenge. Well when I first read it I thought that it was. It is such a struggle at times to not do something that would have me be ashamed on that day of reckoning.

Then as I reread the verse I found the key! …continue “in Him”…

And it’s found again in Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

It is “through Him” because “Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. “In love.” Ephesians 1:4

We were chosen “in Him” before we were even born.

It sure makes sense to continue “in Him” then doesn’t it.

He died for my life and lives that He might be in my life!

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

My prayer for us

“Heavenly Father we rejoice in the knowledge that it is walking in the power of Your indwelling Spirit that we can be confident and unashamed at Your return. In Jesus name, amen.”

by Alec Niemi
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Further Reading

• In God Alone– by Suzanne Benner

Keep Yourself in God’s Love

Be Confident in God’s Strength in You – by Jon Walker


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Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13

So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.2 Thessalonians 2:15

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”  Titus 1:9

Stand firm, therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,Ephesians 6:14

My prayer for us this week

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, I pray that we will stand firm. Letting nothing move us. Always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. In Jesus name amen.1 Corinthians 15:58

by Alec Niemi
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Further Reading

• Faith That Stands – by Kathy Cheek

Alert and Committed – by Gail Davis

In the Lord’s Strength by Laura Rath


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Remember the song, “This Little Light of Mine“?

It was written by Harry Dixon in or about 1920 and has become a classic. I looked it up and discovered that there are more verses than I had ever sung. The two verses I hadn’t heard were; “Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine,” and “Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine.”

Jesus said…

“I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12)

The Psalmist gives credit to the Lord as the lamp to his feet and the light to his path. (Psalm 119:105.)

John tells us at the beginning of his Gospel that, in the beginning was the Word… and that the word became flesh, and it dwelt among us… (John 1:1 and 14)

So as we let our ‘little light’ shine” let it be Jesus shining in and through us that others may find a lamp for their feet and a light for their path too.

My prayer for us this week

Heavenly Father we thank you for your word, it is a lamp for our feet and a light on our path. We thank you for Jesus who came as the light that we may have the ‘Light of life’ and that we can let Him shine through us, giving light to this dark world. In Jesus name, amen.

by Alec Niemi
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Further Reading

• Paradise Road – A Story of Shining your Light – by Katherine Kehler

Let Your Light Shine – by Phil Ware

Let God’s Light Through –  by Darren Hewer


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thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by Men


Pick your fights.” “Don’t sweat over the little things.” “Sometimes you have to lose a battle to win the war.

People seem to love to debate. (Others would call it argue!) There are times when one thinks they’ve won an argument but still wind up the loser in the end. The loss comes from not watching the tongue.

I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.” Psalm 39:1

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Proverbs 18:21

A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.”
Proverbs 13:3

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” James 1:26

But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
James 3:8

My prayer for us this week:

Heavenly Father, we flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on You out of a pure heart. We will not have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because we know they produce quarrels.  And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. In Jesus name amen.” 2 Timothy 2:22-26

by Alec Niemi
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Further Reading

•  The Power of the Tongue by Mary Pinckney

•  Let Your Words Bring Healing Not Hurt – by Helen Lescheid

The Power of Kind Words – by Laura Rath


thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by Men


Years  ago in my former vocation as a logger I drove a machine called a skidder with which I pulled logs from the woods to an area where they could be loaded and sent for milling. We dragged logs for several kilometer on what was called a skid road. It was hot and dusty work going back and forth on this same road pulling in the logs and returning back to get more.

At one spot close to the side of the skid road we discovered water bubbling up from underground and then disappearing again. This water was cold and oh so sweet. Probably the best water I have ever tasted. Whenever we were thirsty we would stop and have a drink. However it was such a little spot it was hard to see and easy to miss while driving by. But there was always the thought, “Oops I missed it but I’ll stop next time by.”

Does it sound familiar? “Oops God, I missed you, but I’ll stop next time by.”

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:1-2a).

God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1).

I spread out my hands to You; my soul longs for You like a thirsty land” (Psalm 143:6).

If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink” (John 7:37).

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).

Thank you Lord Jesus for inviting the thirsty to come and drink. Telling us that if we believe in you, as the Scripture has said, “streams of living water will flow from within us… through the Spirit that you have given us. Thank you Jesus, amen.” John 7:37-39

by Alec Niemi
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Further Reading

•  How to be Saved

•  Living Water for the Thirsty – by Charles Spurgeon

•  Never Thirsty – by Bethany Hayes


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Do you still really trust God?


What should I do, do I make the change,” I asked?
as to and fro I paced.

Do you still trust Me?” the Lord asked, in response
to a quandary I faced.

Oh my light, my strength, my helper! “Oh Yes,
I responded without haste.

No words were spoken yet at that moment of ‘yes,’
all my doubts erased.

I trusted… I wasn’t afraid… in His comforting presence
I was embraced.

Go to His loving arms in times of need. Do it now.
There’s no time to waste.

Got a dilemma, struggling with a quandary,
trust God and be graced.

My prayer for us

Creator God, it is with anticipation and joy that we come to you with praise, thanking you for our strength and salvation. Do we still trust you? Unequivocally yes! We bless your holy name. Amen.

By Alec Niemi
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Further Reading

•  A Passion for Helping Others – Business leader, Ken Kolek, talks about putting others first and how this affects his business dealings.
•  How to be sure God Listens to your Prayers
•  Salvation Explained


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The wordHosannais used to express adoration, praise or joy.

In the original Rabbinical Hebrew it is interpreted to mean ‘save, we pray’. As we read part of the Easter story we are reminded that as Jesus was entering Jerusalem,

a very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”  (Matthew 21:8&9)

As we celebrate the Easter season let us not only remember to express our adoration, praise and joy but let’s remember the ‘why’ as well; The resurrection! Our salvation depends on it!

My prayer for you this week

“Jesus, we ‘spread our cloaks on the road’ asking, save, we pray, oh Son of David. Blessed are you who came in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Amen. Matthew 21:8 & 9

by Alec Niemi
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Further Reading

•  Touched by the Risen Lord

•  Easter Quotes  and  Easter Prayers

•  Salvation Explained


thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men


Wow! it is already December.

How the time flies.

Now it is time to get serious about Christmas.

Serious in the sense that we need to take the time to reflect on what this season is all about. Christmas songs are filling the air. And as we sing along with the Christmas songs being played on the radio, in stores, on iPod, etc. let’s sing them in remembrance of Jesus, the one whose birthday we are celebrating.

My prayer for you this week:

Creator God we praise you. How good it is to sing praises to you our God, how pleasant and fitting it is to praise you! It is you oh LORD who built up Jerusalem; who gathered the exiles of Israel. You heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. You determine the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great are you Lord and mighty in power; your understanding has no limit. You LORD sustain the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.  Yes we sing to you our LORD with thanksgiving and remembrance; making music to you on the harp. In Jesus name amen.” Psalm 147:1-7

by Alec Niemi
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FURTHER READING

•  Christmas Inspirations

•  New Year Thoughts

•  Salvation Explained


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Christmas lights adorn the neighborhood setting the scene for festive celebration. It is easy to get into the mood of celebration amidst all the decoration. As we celebrate let us remember that Christmas is the celebration of the boy child Jesus who came as the light to a dark world. Just as He has opened our eyes with the truth of salvation, let’s use this celebratory season to shine our light for Jesus too!

My prayer for you

Thank you LORD, you have called us in righteousness. Thank you for taking hold of our hands and keeping us and making us to be a covenant and a light to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. Amen.” Isaiah 42:6, 7

By Alec Niemi
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Further Reading

•  Christmas Category

•  The Christmas Story – the story of Jesus Birth

•  Salvation Explained


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He was crouched low as he slowly followed a bit of a trail through the thick underbrush when his Sargent harshly whispered, ‘FREEZE!” He froze immediately and he listened intently for any noise as his eyes darted around trying to spot any danger that the Sarg. might have seen. And then he spotted it. Strung across the path, ankle high, right in front of his foot was a clear nylon trip line… He hadn’t seen it… One step more and… He didn’t want to think about it…

Life is full of trip lines. But praise the Lord for he has given us his Holy Spirit to warn us when to “FREEZE!”

The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made both of them. Proverbs 20:12

My prayer for us this week

“Heavenly Father, we are still because we know that You are God. You are exalted among the nations; You will be exalted in the earth. You are with us and are our stronghold. Thank you and praise you, in Jesus name, amen.” Psalm 46:10,11

Have a great week

by Alec Niemi
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Further Reading

•   God Is…

•  More than a Father

•  Salvation Explained


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thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by Men


As disciples we have been set apart to expend our time, talent and treasures on Christ’s message.

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17

The apostle Paul, speaking to the church in Corinth, gives us insight into how we should do this. (2 Corinthians 9:6-11).

The first thing he tells us is that we are to be generous. “whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” (v 6b) Being generous means showing a readiness to give more of something than is strictly necessary or expected.

Secondly he tells us to be intentional with what we do. “what you have decided in your heart to give,” (v 7a) A deed is an action that is performed intentionally of consciously.

The third thing is that we are to do it voluntarily, “not reluctantly or under compulsion.” (v 7b)

His fourth instruction is that we do it cheerfully, “for God loves a cheerful giver.”(v 7c)

And then he tells us why… that, abounding in His grace, we might be sufficiently supplied…  “God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” (v8)

…for everything we do in furthering the Kingdom of God. “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.” (vs 10,11)

As we do what we have been called to do, let’s do it generously, intentionally, freely and cheerfully.

Heavenly Father thank you for teaching us that if we sow sparingly we will also reap sparingly, and if we sow bountifully we will also reap bountifully. You tell us that we must do just as we have purposed in our heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for You love a cheerful giver. And You are able to make all grace abound to us, so that we will always have all sufficiency in everything, that we may have an abundance for every good deed. Amen.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

By Alec Niemi
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Further Reading

•   God Is…

•  More than a Father

•  Salvation Explained


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