Psalm 95:2 - "Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song." (NIV)
This Thanksgiving season may we come before Him with grateful hearts, praising Him and thanking Him for our many blessings.
What a great time to begin a gratitude/blessing list if you have not already. As you go through your day, begin writing down your blessings which may range from Jesus and salvation to birds in your feeder. Count your many blessings and you will be blessed. Your focus will be on Him and not on self. You will "extol Him" when you come into His presence with thanksgiving for your blessings.
May we come to the point that Habakkuk wrote about in Habakkuk 3:17-18. "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, thought the olive crop fails . . . . . . . yet, I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior."
Lord, give us grateful hearts. May we see our many blessings and come before you with thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
I am Weak, but He is Strong
I have been pondering something I read recently in my time with the Lord. In the devotional book Jesus Calling, it states that He chose me less for my strength than He did my weakness because my weakness amplifies my need for Him. How very true! I just had not thought very much about God actually choosing me more for my weakness than my strength - actually, I really do know I have no strength apart from Him.
1 Corinthians 1:27 says, "God chose the weak things of the world."." (my emphasis) In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about asking God to remove his "thorn in the flesh," but God told him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (verse 9)
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:10, "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
I sometimes feel so weak, so powerless. How good it is to be reminded that God chose the weak things (that's me and maybe that's you). When I am weak, my need for Him is so evident. I want to say with Paul, "I delight in weaknessess. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
How can that be? My weaknesses cause me to turn to the Almighty, the All-Powerful for my strength. God can use me when I recognize my weakness and rely on His Strength. I truly am nothing, no-thing without Him. But, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
1 Corinthians 1:27 says, "God chose the weak things of the world."." (my emphasis) In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about asking God to remove his "thorn in the flesh," but God told him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (verse 9)
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:10, "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
I sometimes feel so weak, so powerless. How good it is to be reminded that God chose the weak things (that's me and maybe that's you). When I am weak, my need for Him is so evident. I want to say with Paul, "I delight in weaknessess. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
How can that be? My weaknesses cause me to turn to the Almighty, the All-Powerful for my strength. God can use me when I recognize my weakness and rely on His Strength. I truly am nothing, no-thing without Him. But, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Friday, October 21, 2011
When Life Hurts
What are we to do when life hurts? Hebrews 12:2 says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame,and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
What does it mean to "fix our eyes on Jesus?" It means we focus on Him, on who He is, on His All-Sufficiency instead of focusing on our hurts. We can't do both at the same time. Whatever we are facing today, He is big enough to get us through. He is our Comforter and Healer and He has promised He will never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8)
He is our constant companion. Draw close to Him. He is there. His Presence is always with us. "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
Will life stop hurting? No. But, He takes the sting out of our hurts. His Presence comforts and consoles us and gives us hope.
What does it mean to "fix our eyes on Jesus?" It means we focus on Him, on who He is, on His All-Sufficiency instead of focusing on our hurts. We can't do both at the same time. Whatever we are facing today, He is big enough to get us through. He is our Comforter and Healer and He has promised He will never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8)
He is our constant companion. Draw close to Him. He is there. His Presence is always with us. "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
Will life stop hurting? No. But, He takes the sting out of our hurts. His Presence comforts and consoles us and gives us hope.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Priorities
Be careful/cautious in setting priorities. While there are a lot of good things in life, if anything besides Jesus is at the top of our list of priorities, there will be problems. Everything else disappoints.
Our spouses, families, friends, church, Christian organizations, etc. will all disappoint us at times.
When we get all wrapped up, even in a good thing, when a problem develops, and it will, we are in for hurt and disappointment.
An example: My life for many years has revolved around my family and my church - not much else. When difficulties come in either area, it can rock my world. My family disappoints me at times - just as I disappoint them. My church disappoints me at times - just as I disappoint my church. If I put either of these areas above the Lord, or if I expect too much from them, I am in for some major disappointments.
Prioritize - Jesus first, family next and then my church. Every other good thing must follow these priorities. Keep your eyes on Jesus!
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Our spouses, families, friends, church, Christian organizations, etc. will all disappoint us at times.
When we get all wrapped up, even in a good thing, when a problem develops, and it will, we are in for hurt and disappointment.
An example: My life for many years has revolved around my family and my church - not much else. When difficulties come in either area, it can rock my world. My family disappoints me at times - just as I disappoint them. My church disappoints me at times - just as I disappoint my church. If I put either of these areas above the Lord, or if I expect too much from them, I am in for some major disappointments.
Prioritize - Jesus first, family next and then my church. Every other good thing must follow these priorities. Keep your eyes on Jesus!
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Monday, September 19, 2011
The List - Having a Grateful Heart
"Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20 (my emphisis)
I began The List the other morning - a list of things for which I am thankful. I want - I need to develop a more grateful heart so I am making The List. It will be somewhat random in nature though I am putting Jesus, my Savior at the top of The List.
What prompted The List? I have been perusing One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp and have been thoroughly convicted of my failure to recognize how truly blessed I am. I know that fact, but as I actually name my blessings (as Ann has emphasized),it gives me greater awareness of how God has blessed me. It also shines a light on my lack of thankfulness.
That very morning on which I began The List, God sent a most refreshing rain after a long dry spell. Refreshing rain made The List. My screened porch, where I have my time alone with God during the spring, summer and fall, also made The List. Cooler temperatures, gentle breezes, a hot cup of coffee, butterflies, hummingbirds, family and friends all made The List.
My prayer is that God will give me a grateful heart through this exercise so He will shine through me. I desire to be thankful even for the small things in life such as my first cup of coffee in the morning. I don't want the tough things in life - divorce, illness and the like - to consume me and take away my thankfulness or my joy.
I want to give God the tough things in life and turn my focus to Him and His abundant blessings - His gifts. "Give me a grateful heart, Lord."
I began The List the other morning - a list of things for which I am thankful. I want - I need to develop a more grateful heart so I am making The List. It will be somewhat random in nature though I am putting Jesus, my Savior at the top of The List.
What prompted The List? I have been perusing One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp and have been thoroughly convicted of my failure to recognize how truly blessed I am. I know that fact, but as I actually name my blessings (as Ann has emphasized),it gives me greater awareness of how God has blessed me. It also shines a light on my lack of thankfulness.
That very morning on which I began The List, God sent a most refreshing rain after a long dry spell. Refreshing rain made The List. My screened porch, where I have my time alone with God during the spring, summer and fall, also made The List. Cooler temperatures, gentle breezes, a hot cup of coffee, butterflies, hummingbirds, family and friends all made The List.
My prayer is that God will give me a grateful heart through this exercise so He will shine through me. I desire to be thankful even for the small things in life such as my first cup of coffee in the morning. I don't want the tough things in life - divorce, illness and the like - to consume me and take away my thankfulness or my joy.
I want to give God the tough things in life and turn my focus to Him and His abundant blessings - His gifts. "Give me a grateful heart, Lord."
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Oaks of Righteousness
There are those who gain our attention and respect because of how they grieve over their losses. They are such a testimony to God's faithfulness and provision.
Isaiah was sent to preach good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted . . . . . ., provide for those who grieve in Zion . . . . .(Isaiah 61:1-3) Isaiah says of those who grieve in Zion- "They shall be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor." (Isaiah 61:3c) Those who grieve are very special to the Lord. He wants to give them a crown of beauty, the oil of gladness, a garment of praise and they will be called "oaks of righteousness."
The Lord plants these "oaks of righteousness" and there is a purpose - "for the display of His splendor." When we experience deep hurts and losses, we have a God-given opportunity to display the splendor of the Lord. Will we be called "oaks of righteousness?" Will we display His splendor?
.
Isaiah was sent to preach good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted . . . . . ., provide for those who grieve in Zion . . . . .(Isaiah 61:1-3) Isaiah says of those who grieve in Zion- "They shall be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor." (Isaiah 61:3c) Those who grieve are very special to the Lord. He wants to give them a crown of beauty, the oil of gladness, a garment of praise and they will be called "oaks of righteousness."
The Lord plants these "oaks of righteousness" and there is a purpose - "for the display of His splendor." When we experience deep hurts and losses, we have a God-given opportunity to display the splendor of the Lord. Will we be called "oaks of righteousness?" Will we display His splendor?
.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Feeling a Little Insignificant?
Do you ever feel unimportant or insignificant? Maybe a glimpse into David's life will help you. David was a shepherd boy - he tended sheep. Even his family thought he was unimportant, but God had other plans. When Samuel came to anoint God's chosen king to replace Saul, he looked at all of Jesse's sons but found that God had not chosen any of them. He asked Jesse (David's father), "Are these all the sons you have?" Jesse answered him, "There is still the youngest, but he is tending sheep." (1 Samuel 16:11) His family did not feel he was worthy to pass in front of Samuel to be considered as the next king, but God had other plans.
When David was brought to Samuel, God spoke to Samuel and said, "Rise and anoint him, he is the one." (1 Samuel 16:12) After Samuel anointed David, the Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power. David was a handsome young man with a fine appearance and yet, his family considered him insignificant, but God had other plans.
Maybe you are talented, nice-looking, good worker, etc. as David was and yet you feel insignificant. God does not see you as man does. When Samuel first arrived in Bethlehem, he thought he had found the new king immediately when he saw Eliab. God said, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. 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)
God says we are all significant in His eyes (whether we are considered talented, nice looking, etc.). There are no unimportant people in His kingdom. Be encouraged today as you think about how really significant you are in God's eyes. God has other plans for you. Be ready!
When David was brought to Samuel, God spoke to Samuel and said, "Rise and anoint him, he is the one." (1 Samuel 16:12) After Samuel anointed David, the Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power. David was a handsome young man with a fine appearance and yet, his family considered him insignificant, but God had other plans.
Maybe you are talented, nice-looking, good worker, etc. as David was and yet you feel insignificant. God does not see you as man does. When Samuel first arrived in Bethlehem, he thought he had found the new king immediately when he saw Eliab. God said, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. 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)
God says we are all significant in His eyes (whether we are considered talented, nice looking, etc.). There are no unimportant people in His kingdom. Be encouraged today as you think about how really significant you are in God's eyes. God has other plans for you. Be ready!
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