"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."
Monday, September 19, 2011
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!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Rely On God - Not Ourselves
It is a fact of life - we will have troubles. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."(John 16:33)
Do you ever wonder why you (your family/friends, etc.) face so many trials and difficulties? Sometimes the answer is quite simple. Hardships often happen so we will stop relying on ourselves and rely on God.
In writing to the church at Corinth, Paul informed them of some of the hardships he had experienced. He stated that they were far beyond his ability to endure and thought he would lose his life. "Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." (2 Corinthians 1:9)
When Brooks Marr ( a lady in her 80's in our church) shared her testimony recently, she shared that through the many trials she had experienced in life, she had learned to stop asking God why and ask Him what instead - what He is trying to teach me through this trial/trouble.
When difficulties come, we need to learn to ask God what He wants to teach us - what does He want us to learn from this difficulty - or what is it He wants me to get rid of in my life.
Let's learn to ask God what and not why and learn to rely on God and not ourselves.
Do you ever wonder why you (your family/friends, etc.) face so many trials and difficulties? Sometimes the answer is quite simple. Hardships often happen so we will stop relying on ourselves and rely on God.
In writing to the church at Corinth, Paul informed them of some of the hardships he had experienced. He stated that they were far beyond his ability to endure and thought he would lose his life. "Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." (2 Corinthians 1:9)
When Brooks Marr ( a lady in her 80's in our church) shared her testimony recently, she shared that through the many trials she had experienced in life, she had learned to stop asking God why and ask Him what instead - what He is trying to teach me through this trial/trouble.
When difficulties come, we need to learn to ask God what He wants to teach us - what does He want us to learn from this difficulty - or what is it He wants me to get rid of in my life.
Let's learn to ask God what and not why and learn to rely on God and not ourselves.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
God is Amazing (Part 2)
I find I don't want to write part 2 of this devotional. God is still amazing, but I am just so human! Most of us do not like to see ourselves in that light, but alas, it is so true where I am concerned.
After experiencing a week of victory given to me by the Lord, I went into a valley. It all started with an almost sleepless night followed by a second and a third restless night. Why wasn't I sleeping well? My mind would not turn off. Along with a lot of changes and adjustments in my life, I let a very small, insignificant thing throw me. Someone did not do what they had agreed to do and I finally realized why it caused me so much angst. It was a reflection on my leadership, or should I say, my lack of leadership.
This valley came for several reasons, I am sure. One, I focused on the situation and on the bad light cast on me rather than on God and His ability to make something good out of a less than good situation. Add to that the lack of rest and a "full plate" (almost everybody has a "full plate" these days) and you have a scenario for depression and discouragement.
Satan attacks us at our point of vulnerability. I do not function well when I do not get my rest, thus the devil's attack. Keep in mind that during the mountaintop and the valley I was spending time with the Lord every morning. It wasn't like I had neglected the Lord, but Satan's attack came in spite of this fact.
When Elijah was depressed and wanted to die, he had just experienced the most wonderful victory on Mount Carmel against Baal. The first thing he did after praying and asking God to take his life was to lie down and sleep. An angel awakened him to eat and he fell asleep again. This same scenario was repeated again. Once Elijah was rested, the Scriptures say, "And the word of the LORD came to him. . . ." (1 Kings 19:9b)
I, like Elijah needed rest. Once the Lord gave me rest, I began to feel like a new person. 1 Peter 4:11b says, "If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." For this time in my life, God has called me to a lot of areas of service. He continues to provide what I need and assures me He will continue to provide. I just have to rely on Him and His strength and not get sidetracked in trying to do things in my own small strength. "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
Ah, rest, it changes my perspective! After much prayer, I am convinced that God will provide everything I need to go through this busy time in my life. He is All-Sufficient and He always equips us for what He calls us to do. God truly is amazing!!
After experiencing a week of victory given to me by the Lord, I went into a valley. It all started with an almost sleepless night followed by a second and a third restless night. Why wasn't I sleeping well? My mind would not turn off. Along with a lot of changes and adjustments in my life, I let a very small, insignificant thing throw me. Someone did not do what they had agreed to do and I finally realized why it caused me so much angst. It was a reflection on my leadership, or should I say, my lack of leadership.
This valley came for several reasons, I am sure. One, I focused on the situation and on the bad light cast on me rather than on God and His ability to make something good out of a less than good situation. Add to that the lack of rest and a "full plate" (almost everybody has a "full plate" these days) and you have a scenario for depression and discouragement.
Satan attacks us at our point of vulnerability. I do not function well when I do not get my rest, thus the devil's attack. Keep in mind that during the mountaintop and the valley I was spending time with the Lord every morning. It wasn't like I had neglected the Lord, but Satan's attack came in spite of this fact.
When Elijah was depressed and wanted to die, he had just experienced the most wonderful victory on Mount Carmel against Baal. The first thing he did after praying and asking God to take his life was to lie down and sleep. An angel awakened him to eat and he fell asleep again. This same scenario was repeated again. Once Elijah was rested, the Scriptures say, "And the word of the LORD came to him. . . ." (1 Kings 19:9b)
I, like Elijah needed rest. Once the Lord gave me rest, I began to feel like a new person. 1 Peter 4:11b says, "If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." For this time in my life, God has called me to a lot of areas of service. He continues to provide what I need and assures me He will continue to provide. I just have to rely on Him and His strength and not get sidetracked in trying to do things in my own small strength. "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
Ah, rest, it changes my perspective! After much prayer, I am convinced that God will provide everything I need to go through this busy time in my life. He is All-Sufficient and He always equips us for what He calls us to do. God truly is amazing!!
Monday, July 25, 2011
God is Amazing (Part 1)
July 9, 2011
God is sufficient even in the wilderness times of our lives. Is your life in a turmoil right now? God is sufficient! To me, He is proving Himself to be the All-Sufficient God and yes He is amazing. There have been a lot of changes in our family lately - from a child going through a divorce and moving home for a time to two teenage grandsons living with us every other week. Big changes! But, again God is sufficient.
Add to all this, the places of service to which God has called me and it makes for a rather full plate. Some weeks I ask God how am I going to accomplish all that is before me and He assures me it is going to be okay. He truly amazes me!
This week was especially busy as I was completing the next study for Sunday School. How could I get it finished with everything else going on? On Friday, those booklets/worksheets were compiled and ready to distribute on Sunday. I looked back at the week and thought - "Thank you God!" He had amazed me at the accomplishments of the week. It is His strength, not mine. He truly is my Provider. I pray He is yours as you experience difficult or wilderness times.
Psalm 57:1 "Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me, for in You my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster (calamity, difficulty) has passed."
Note: There will be a part 2 to this story - as I went from mountaintop to valley. Through it all, God still amazes me.
God is sufficient even in the wilderness times of our lives. Is your life in a turmoil right now? God is sufficient! To me, He is proving Himself to be the All-Sufficient God and yes He is amazing. There have been a lot of changes in our family lately - from a child going through a divorce and moving home for a time to two teenage grandsons living with us every other week. Big changes! But, again God is sufficient.
Add to all this, the places of service to which God has called me and it makes for a rather full plate. Some weeks I ask God how am I going to accomplish all that is before me and He assures me it is going to be okay. He truly amazes me!
This week was especially busy as I was completing the next study for Sunday School. How could I get it finished with everything else going on? On Friday, those booklets/worksheets were compiled and ready to distribute on Sunday. I looked back at the week and thought - "Thank you God!" He had amazed me at the accomplishments of the week. It is His strength, not mine. He truly is my Provider. I pray He is yours as you experience difficult or wilderness times.
Psalm 57:1 "Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me, for in You my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster (calamity, difficulty) has passed."
Note: There will be a part 2 to this story - as I went from mountaintop to valley. Through it all, God still amazes me.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
A "Still" Person - I'm Not
Once again I find myself focusing on Psalm 46:10 - "Be still and know that I am God." This verse has been on my mind and my heart lately and there it was again, in one of my devotional readings. More and more I am realizing the importance of being still in God's Presence. How will I ever hear Him and truly know Him if I am not still?
Confession: I am not a "still" person. But, through discipline and the power of the Holy Spirit (mostly the power of the Holy Spirit), I have learned to be fairly still early in the morning. Let's face it, there aren't many distractions while it is still dark, so I can more easily focus on Him. Trust me, there is room for improvement even though I have been having an early Quiet Time for many years.
Why do most of us have trouble being still? Well, we have soooooo much to do! (We say!) I was thinking about Jesus and His tasks when He was here on earth. There has never been a bigger to-do list, nor a more important one. Yet, I am reminded that He was never in a hurry. He always took time to listen to others and meet their needs.
Let's just say that I am convicted about my busyness, my hurriedness versus Jesus' calmness and patience, while getting THE JOB done.
My Prayer: Lord, help me be still in Your Presence. Help me let you direct my day. Guide me to accomplish what is truly important. Teach me Your Way.
Confession: I am not a "still" person. But, through discipline and the power of the Holy Spirit (mostly the power of the Holy Spirit), I have learned to be fairly still early in the morning. Let's face it, there aren't many distractions while it is still dark, so I can more easily focus on Him. Trust me, there is room for improvement even though I have been having an early Quiet Time for many years.
Why do most of us have trouble being still? Well, we have soooooo much to do! (We say!) I was thinking about Jesus and His tasks when He was here on earth. There has never been a bigger to-do list, nor a more important one. Yet, I am reminded that He was never in a hurry. He always took time to listen to others and meet their needs.
Let's just say that I am convicted about my busyness, my hurriedness versus Jesus' calmness and patience, while getting THE JOB done.
My Prayer: Lord, help me be still in Your Presence. Help me let you direct my day. Guide me to accomplish what is truly important. Teach me Your Way.
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