Category: <span>thoughts by Vonette Bright</span>

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4: 7

Long ago, there was a village blacksmith who boasted of his invincible strength. He proudly declared he could break anyone’s chains. When strong steel links were brought to him, he found the weakest link … and easily snapped the metal.

One day, the blacksmith broke the law and was put into chains. He scoffed at his jailers. Didn’t they know his incredible power?

Carefully he sifted through the links … again and again … unable to find the usual flaw. Then, in horror he realized he’d been bound by … his OWN chains!

And, that’s the way it is with sin.

You may think you’re strong enough to withstand Satan’s enticements. But, when you repeatedly give in to temptation, you become what has become a habit.

Dear one, what “binds” you today? Ask for God’s help. He will set you free!

by Vonette Bright
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FURTHER READING

Chains of Perfectionism – by Kristi Huseby

• Shackled Again – by Julie Cosgrove

Depression Story – There is Hope

thoughts by Vonette Bright Thoughts by Women


May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.Romans 15:13


As a third-century man was anticipating death, he penned these last words to a friend which remain true today:

It’s a bad world, an incredibly bad world.
But I have discovered in the midst of it, a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret.
They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of our sinful life.
They are despised and persecuted, but they care not.
They have overcome the world. These people are Christians — and I am one of them.”

Dear one, happiness is like the moon. It shines brightly and then clouds over. But Joy is like the sun – always shining even when night falls or clouds cover it.  Happiness comes from humans  –  joy is from God.  It’s one of His attributes!

Friend, when you invite Jesus into your heart, God’s  joy is just a prayer away.

by Vonette Bright
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FURTHER READING

• Living in God’s Joy and Peace – Prayer for Inner Peace

•  Fruit of Joy – by Sylvia Gunter

You Can Have Joy – Thoughts by John Grant

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But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11

Gracie Rosenberger sat in the waiting room welcoming the West African patients.
She was part of a medical mission helping poor and rich alike who waited for artificial limbs.
As a double-amputee, Gracie knows the loss of a limb can hinder relationships.

But even Gracie’s smile and laughter froze upon seeing Mary’s hand extended to hers.
Mary was missing fingers and her right leg -the results of Leprosy.
As Mary looked at Gracie, her eyes questioned, “Am I welcome, too?”
Taking Mary’s disfigured hand; Gracie broke into an even bigger, warmer smile.
She was reminded how Christ had welcomed HER sinful, diseased and maimed soul into HIS family.
Nothing could stop her from sharing the warm embrace of Jesus Christ.

Touching the untouchable becomes a privilege, friend,
when you recall how Christ reached out to you.

Peter & Gracie Rosenberger:   http://www.standingwithhope.com

Jesus not only touches our wounds, He heals our souls and welcomes us into His family.”

by Vonette Bright
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FURTHER READING

The Touch That Transforms  by Charles Stanley

 The Power of a Godly Touch  by Max Lucado

A Godly Touch – by Max Lucado

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“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” John 3:16


Cristine headed to hot and humid Central America with her youth group’s summer mission project. They would host a two-day children’s evangelistic outreach.

The teens prepared an entire program to illustrate the love of Christ to the children. In spite of hours of practice, things went wrong. But their nervous apprehension melted away when the teens learned to depend upon God.

The children were wide-eyed. They clamored for the wordless bracelets, which use colors to tell about God’s love.  Through smiles and broken Spanish, the teens helped forty children pray to invite Christ into their hearts!  The little ones wanted to hear God’s story over and over again.

Dear one, the simplicity of God’s love, not our eloquence or expertise is what touches a person’s life.

Wherever you are, tell someone about God’s love today!

By Vonette Bright
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Further Reading

• No Limit to His Love – by Max Lucado

To Love Like God  by John Fischer

You Don’t Know What You are Missing by Katherine Kehler


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thoughts by Vonette Bright Thoughts by Women


One of my friend’s favorite Christmas songs is “Mary, Did You Know?”

In it the birth mother of Jesus is asked if she knows the importance and uniqueness of her baby boy.

What did Mary think as Jesus grew to heal the sick, calm the storm, and walk on water?
You see, friend, that tiny babe was actually the Creator of the universe!
Later in life, Mary had to endure watching her innocent son being nailed to a cross.
But the Bible story doesn’t end there.
Mary soon came to know He died for her sins, as well as yours and mine,
so one day we might join Him in Heaven.

Yes, Jesus may have entered His creation quietly, but He left in a rumble that echoes to this day.

And His next earthly visit won’t be as a humble child.  It will be as
Mighty King and Conqueror!

by Vonette Bright
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Further Reading

• I Wonder About Mary – A Christmas Devotional by Bill Strom

God Guided Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem – by Jon Walker

Not My Agenda, but God’s Agenda – A Devotional by Helen Lescheid


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Anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13

Manufacturers of hand sanitizers claim their products kill 99.9% of all germs.  Makes you wonder about the remaining one-tenth of one percent!

If 99.9% was good enough

~ 12 babies would be given to the wrong parents each day

~ 291 pacemaker operations would go wrong this year

~ Almost 900 thousand credit cards in circulation would contain incorrect ‘card holder’  information

~ And two landings at Chicago’s O’ Hare airport would be unsafe every day!

Dear one, 99.9% is NOT enough.  Especially when it comes to heaven.  Do you know where you’re going when you die? You can be absolutely, 100% sure about your eternal destiny because the Bible says so.  Jesus says so!  If you place your trust in Him, He promises you will someday meet Him in Heaven.  That’s a glorious, 100% guarantee!

By Vonette Bright
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Further Reading

•  How You Can be Sure You are a Christian

Full Confidence – A Devotional by John Grant

Promise of Redemption A Devotional by Suzanne Benner


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thoughts by Vonette Bright Thoughts by Women


“He said to them, “Go into all the world. Preach the good news to everyone.”  Mark 16:15 (NIV)


Jason had been involved with Campus Crusade for Christ in college.  He was excited about his faith and wanted to share Christ with others.  He soon learned that a believer’s responsibility is only to share their faith in the power of the Holy Spirit and leave the results to God.

You see, you’re not to blame when the message of God’s love goes unheeded.

Your responsibility is simply to share God’s love and forgiveness.

So with a sense of expectancy, Jason asked God to lead him to people who would come to Christ.

First a mother and son excitedly responded.  Then another woman was deeply moved when she heard about having a relationship with Christ.  Her sister wanted to hear about God’s love, too!  Both received Christ!!!

Dear one, share the great news of God’s love and forgiveness, and leave the results to God.

by Vonette Bright
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Further Reading

•  Conversation Starters to transition to Spiritual things

Caring Enough to Tell Others about Christ

We are Christ’s Ambassadors


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But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.”  2 Corinthians 7:6


Owen Shramek lived for only twenty minutes after he was born. His father, Dustin, struggled with anger. During the first months after the baby’s death, Dustin admits he felt very little comfort from God. He prayed, “God, I know You are sovereign.  I know that You are in control.  But the least You could do is draw near to us and give us comfort.”

Well, on the six month anniversary, Dustin was reading through the mail. Letters came from God’s people all over the world.  He came across the Bible verse: “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.”  God was answering his prayer through fellow Christians!

Dear one, be comforted. We are part of the Body of Christ. And it’s through this Body that He ministers to us. Even in our darkest days.

by Vonette Bright
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Further Reading

• Trusting God in Suffering – by Karen Woodard

God Uses Our Suffering – by Charles Stanley

How to Respond in Suffering – A Devotional by Helen Lescheid


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thoughts by Vonette Bright Thoughts by Women


“….The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”1 Samuel 16:7


Mirror, mirror on the wall” Remember that fairy tale? Of course, we all do!

My question for you today is, what do you see when you look into the mirror?  Do you only see yourself or do you see God’s image?

Dear one, no matter what you may physically look like, the image of your Father in heaven is unmistakable!  You should reflect God’s love, grace and mercy.

When people see you reflect Jesus, they are drawn to His great love.  They’ll sense His unconditional acceptance.

You may not see the love of God mirrored in your life because you do not have a relationship with Him.

–> Discover God’s Journey of Joy through Jesus Christ

By Vonette Bright
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Further Reading

• God’s Mirror –  by Rich Vega

Mirroring God’s Image  by Christa Hardin

Reflected Glory –  by Kathy Cheek


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Photo Credit: David Goehring https://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/
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thoughts by Vonette Bright Thoughts by Women


Sharon Autry scolded her three-year-old daughter for what seemed like the tenth time that day!  And it didn’t help when those little hands went on her hips and she said defiantly, “Words, words, words.  That’s all I get?”

Believe me, that got Sharon’s attention. And she began praying that God would help her speak words of “encouragement” rather than words of “criticism“.

Proverbs 18:21 says

the tongue has the power of life and death.”

Look for the reasons to praise your children.  Do it often. Every day! Use words that encourage. Things like, “I love you sweetheart.”  Or, “I couldn’t be more proud of you.” And “God loves you, my little one, you are His child.”

The Bible never neglects discipline, nor should we as parents and grandparents.  But, always with words prompted by love!

By Vonette Bright
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From: Mom and Loving It, Finding Contentment in Real Life, by Sharon Lovejoy Autry and Laurie Lovejoy Hillard
(Bethany House Publishers),

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Further Reading

•  Praying for Children

No Child Ever Leaves God’s Sight – by Max Lucado

•  Lessons from Life: Words – by Mike Woodard


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Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1


Normally when we think of “waiting on the Lord”, we presume that means sitting still.  We wait for God to deliver a ten – point list of what to do.

The Bible says to “Run with patience”.  The two seem contradictory. Running is active, while patience seems inactive.

The fact is God calls us to patience. It is one of the Fruit of the Spirit. At the same time, He cannot direct our steps, if we won’t move.  As the old illustration goes, it’s impossible to steer a parked car!

Dear friend, as you wait upon the Lord, continue to live a holy life. Apply God’s Word daily, live in the power of the Holy Spirit, and make yourself available to Him.

By Vonette Bright
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Further Reading

• Patience Comes with Costby Jon Walker

God’s Patience – by Phil Ware

The Rewards of Patience – by Charles Stanley


thoughts by Vonette Bright Thoughts by Women


“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” Hebrews 13:5


Author James O’Donnell knew sadness. His wife Lizzie was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and then heart failure. She also was the mother of their three boys.

He said, “The thought that she might enjoy sitting at Jesus’ feet in heaven was, frankly, of little delight to either of us. I deeply and dearly loved her.”

So what was it like during the daily battle to try to save her life?  Every day they were filled with joy!  Nothing taught them as much about the value of life as the reality that they might not have another tomorrow here on earth.  But holding onto life, amidst devastation, requires courage, love and a huge dose of God’s grace.

Friend, God promises to never leave you or forsake you, no matter where your journey takes you.

You can buy the  Letters for Lizzie  by James O’Donnell: on Amazon

By Vonette Bright
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Further Reading

• Never Leave or Forsake You – by Elizabeth Gunter

The Never Leaving God –  by Marilyn Ehle

A God Who Never Deserts Us – A Devotional by Palitha Jayasooriya


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thoughts by Vonette Bright Thoughts by Women


But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall”   Malachi 4:2


Dear friend, you might relate to LL Barkat’s painful life journey.
She was abandoned by her birth father and abused by her stepfather.
As LL reached adulthood, she felt doomed by her past.
She believed she had become one more broken link in the chain of her dysfunctional family.

One day while sitting in church, she was overcome by a sense of failure.
Then she sensed God speaking through His Word, promising to heal her and use her.
Healing came through experiencing God’s grace and love.
Today she helps bring others that same hope and healing in Christ.

Friend, God can use your pain-filled past to share the heavenly message of hope in Christ.

Tell others how God loves you and by His grace gave you eternal comfort and a wonderful hope.

Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places
by LL Barkat

by Vonette Bright
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Further Reading

•  Making a Difference
•  Poems
•  God Is…


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Thoughts by All thoughts by Vonette Bright


“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Ruthless violence!  Lavish lifestyle!  Those words once described Jorge Valdes (HORE-hay val-DEEZ) a former Colombian drug lord.

His message to drug policy makers, ambassadors and top military officers in Washington, D.C., was surprising.  He spoke of ‘coming clean’ and finding a new life through a dramatic personal encounter with Jesus Christ.  Even the FBI agents who tracked and jailed him agree he’s truly been transformed by Christ.  Amazing!

You may think you’re without hope, that you’ll never change.  But the Bible says otherwise. The Bible assures us: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new”.

Cling to that truth today, dear one.  Christ can transform you.  Ask Him to.  Trust in Him alone.  And say goodbye to that old self-serving you.
4 Steps to Knowing God: https://thoughts-about-god.com/four-laws

By Vonette Bright
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Further Reading

•  Something Beautiful of my Life

•  Out with the Old, In With the New –  by Kathy H Jones

•  A New Identity – by Helen Lescheid


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thoughts by Vonette Bright Thoughts by Women


Dear one, we need to look upon non-Christians with compassion.

We should offer the truth of God’s love gently and respectfully.

As Marla researched her book, she met many women practicing paganism.

Kimberly was one of them.

When she was 17, her mother passed away.

Eastern religion was taught in her home, yet the Bible was unknown.

She tried witchcraft, but it wasn’t able to answer her questions.

Then one woman graciously kept inviting Kimberly to church.

There, Kimberly attempted to attack the Bible.

But she was compelled by the love of God she saw lived out in that church.

Eventually she prayed to receive Christ.

Today Kimberly is an editor with a large Christian publisher.

Remember, friend, we’re called to reflect God’s look of love.

by Vonette Bright
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Further Reading

•  A Heart of Compassion – by Mary Pinckney

•  Compassionate Father – Devotional by Max Lucado

•  A Loving Word – by Doug Lim


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