BLOG | John A. Carroll

John A Carroll

Gleanings from

Thistle Dew Farm

Subscribe for Updates!

Search

Aug 30, 2017

Guidance for Complex Decisions

God’s word meets us in real life where we face questions that require His direction. Here we find two examples of how to deal with complex matters. Today’s reading Psalms 142-144; First Corinthians 10:14-33 Selected Verses Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul

Aug 12, 2017

God is–the Challenge of Describing the Holy One

God is too holy to be described in human words, but we must try. When we have exhausted our efforts, we worship Him by ascribing to Him all glory forever. Today’s Reading Psalms 93-95; Romans 11:22-36 Selected Verses Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty! Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore. Psalm 93:4-5 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of G

Aug 9, 2017

When You Despair over the Lost

What believer has not felt some level of despair over his or her unsaved loved ones? What can we do? Scripture gives us some positive steps to take. Today’s Reading Psalms 85-87; Romans 9 Selected Verses Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. Psalm 85:6-7 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ fo

Aug 3, 2017

Praise and Faith When All Seems Lost

Praise of God and growth in faith build on each other. Praise builds faith and faith fuels praise even when all seems lost. Today’s Reading Psalms 70-72; Romans 4 Selected Verses My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. Psalm 71:23 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why hi

Jul 19, 2017

The Prayer that Never Fails

Do you know the prayer that never fails? Paul knew it. David knew it. Jesus knew it. It is a prayer that God always answers. Today’s Reading Psalms 28-30; Acts 21:1-14 Selected Verses The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace! Psalm 29:10-11 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What a

Jul 15, 2017

God’s Delight in Your Prayer

God’s children have special access to Him in prayer. But do you know that He delights in those who are His and who come to Him with their requests? Today’s Reading Psalms 17-18; Acts 19:1-20 Selected Verses They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. Psalm 18:18-19 And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. Acts 19:17 Reflections

Jun 20, 2017

Praying to a Big God for Big Things

How a person prays reflects much about his or her faith in and knowledge of God. Today we get a look at the prayer lives of three great men of God. Today’s Reading Nehemiah 12-13; Acts 4:23-37 Selected Verses Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love. Nehemiah 13:22 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they

Apr 21, 2017

Prayer in the Face of Injustice

Injustice abounds in this world, but God gives His people prayer so that they may call upon Him rather than to lose heart. Today’s Reading II Samuel 1-3; Luke 18:1-17 Selected Verses And the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? And I was gentle today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are more severe than I. The Lord repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!” II Samuel 3:38-39 And wi

Apr 7, 2017

What to do while longing for the Kingdom

It’s natural and good to be longing for the full arrival of the kingdom of God. But Jesus gave us an assignment while we are waiting. Do you know what it is? Today’s reading Judges 20-21; Luke 11:1-28] Selected Verses In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25 And he said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.'” Luke 11:2 Reflections The theme of the book of Judges is “ther

Mar 26, 2017

Leadership Lessons from Jesus and Joshua

Leaders are frequently challenged by high stress situations and high maintenance people. God’s Word gives guidance for effective leadership. Today’s reading Joshua 16-18; Luke 5:1-16 Selected Verses So the men arose and went, and Joshua charged those who went to write the description of the land, saying, “Go up and down in the land and write a description and return to me. And I will cast lots for you here before the Lord in Shiloh.” Joshua 18:8 But now even more the report

Jan 27, 2017

How to Know You’ve Learned

Like people in Bible times, we struggle to apply what we think we have learned in the past to current challenges. How can we tell we have learned? Today’s reading Exodus 13-15; Matthew 19:1-15 Selected verses When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” Exodus 15:23-24 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on

Jan 7, 2017

What’s important? I forget.

Today’s reading: Genesis 18-19; Matthew 6 Selected verses The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. Genesis 19:23-25 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 Reflections What should we be