THE GIVER

Many words of gratitude will be spoken this week as they should be – I have quite a list myself!  We quite naturally, however, connect gratitude with people, places, things while the things we should be most thankful for are the unseen things. Consider the absence of what you [physically and materially] hold dearest: what would your depth of gratitude be?  Would the sincerity of your gratitude be the same? That’s a hard one! In his Gospel of Jesus Christ, John  speaks bluntly of Him Who blesses: "And from His Fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." (John 1:16).  The phrase “grace upon grace” emphasizes the super-abundance of grace! That super-grace has been shown by God to all of mankind – especially to Believers!  Make no mistake, that grace is not held in our hands but in our hearts! The soul’s truest gratitude always rests in The One Who gives to each one abundantly "according to His riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19).  The people-places-things we often hold as objects of our greatest gratitude are temporal – one day they will be gone.  Let me challenge you this Thanksgiving: instead of devoting your full attention to the blessings, consider The Giver of all blessings.  He is the One Who numbers each hair on your head (Luke 12:7); Who catches each tear you cry (Psalm 56:8); Who has your name engraved in the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16); Whose eyes are ever on you (Psalm 33:18); Who never sleeps nor slumbers (Psalm 121:4); Who promises to be with you at all times (Matthew 28:20). This new pattern of gratitude has the potential to change your entire Thanksgiving, your Christmas, your life.  Experience real thanksgiving – honor The Giver!

Give It Up

A few nights ago, Mr Bill and I went to a movie with some friends. As we looked for our assigned seats in the theater, we discovered someone occupying one of our seats. The young man recognized his mistake and graciously moved. This made me think how Ms Myself takes another’s seat quite regularly. Whenever confronted with her mistake, she [too] humbly moves aside but there’s just “something” special about that seat!  Even though she knows it isn’t her seat, Ms Myself can’t seem to stay out of it!  The seat of rule-and-reign in a person’s heart is designed for Christ alone.  We are commanded to “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5). To love with our “all” is to give the best seat in our hearts to the rightful Occupant – God, not Myself.  Yes, I agree that seat is comfy and Myself seems to fit it perfectly. Truth is, the seat of my heart isn’t mine at all, and when I’m in it, well – nothing’s right. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).  Is God in the rightful seat of your heart?  If not, it’s really best to give it up!

All I Need

A vacant mind? Mr. Bill assures me there are times when [in his mind] there is no conscious thought.  Hmmm, I have trouble with that one! It seems the more technology advanced we become, the less contented we are with free and quiet moments.  I love to sit in my porch swing, but even there my cell phone is nearby.  Consider the words of this Puritan prayer: “Thou has given me the ordinance of song as a means of grace – I bless Thee for tempering every distress with joy – I love Thee for giving me clusters of grapes in the wilderness – Apart from Thee I quickly die, bereft of Thee I starve, far from Thee I thirst and droop – Thou art all I need.” (Valley of Vision).  Perhaps we don’t know how to rest completely and contentedly in Christ, The All-Sufficient One.  In Him alone is absence of all else; in Him we confidently trust and deeply rest and find the soul’s Joy and Peace.  “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Let us gratefully find all we need in Christ this Thanksgiving.

Constantly Unchanged

It’s not always an inspiring thing to look at old photographs – this older-me doesn’t recognize that younger gal.  Well, no worries: last time I voted, it was confirmed … I am me. We know very little about Malachi, last of the minor prophets, but he penned one of God’s most explicitly profound truths: God said, "I the LORD do not change." (Malachi 3:6). I'm not sure any of us can fully comprehend the magnitude of this statement.  We certainly understand one consistent thing: change. [What an oxymoron: constant change.]  God states it plainly: Jehovah God doesn't change. Truth is, God is constantly UNchanging!  Do you realize when we drift off to sleep each night our heart rate changes, our breathing changes, our clocks change, the moon changes, the position of the earth changes – throughout the night, we’re surrounded by changes.  It's a wonder we recognize anything about the new day!  The sole Constant and Unchanged, however, is God.  All He was yesterday -- holy, patient, kind, loving, patient, gracious, faithful, infinite, all-knowing, all-present -- He is in the new day and will be in every day thereafter.  He doesn't wake up grumpy, tired and put out over our repeated failures.  In all things and times, God continues, God remains.  It's what He does because it's who He is!  In this world-gone-mad this One Truth is enough to make the new day a good one: a day to sing, a day to smile, a day to love, a day to serve, a day to pray, a day to tell someone about this Great God Who never changes. Share Him today!

Marvelous Theme

There are many causes to celebrate: births and birthdays, weddings and anniversaries, new jobs  and retirements, and other life events.  It’s good and fun to celebrate but most celebrations are short-lived.  How silly is it that Believers wear long-sad faces in fretfulness!  Israel’s words could be our own: “The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” (Isaiah 49:14).  No matter how many times God rescues His children, some crisis will certainly throw us into a state of worry and fear: a cold-water celebration with an aftermath of stale cake, wilting flowers, deflated balloons and crusty party plates.  To this God says, “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.” (Isaiah 49:16).  Instead of a fear-and-doubt song-and-dance, we must remember, “The steadfast Love of the LORD never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; Great is Your Faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my Portion,’ says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24).  How wonderful God’s Faithfulness and Steadfast Love are grand and unending celebrations – there’s absolutely no aftermath!  Oh, to marvel at God’s Rich Mercies and Rest in Christ at all times!  Oh, what a wonder is The Father of the Redeemed -- His Faithful Goodness a continuous theme to marvel.  "How marvelous, how wonderful - And my song shall ever be - How marvelous, how wonderful - Is my Savior's Love for me." What a marvelous theme!

Your Move

Board games are making a come-back.  It was big-fun playing with my Nanny, and I loved to trick her into thinking it was my move when it wasn’t.  She had to keep an eye on me! Has anyone ever asked your advice then argued about it or ignored it?  Leaves you with the feeling of what-a-waste-of-breath!  Unfortunately, that’s what Believers do many times.  We pray for wisdom when facing something hard, God reveals His Truth then we fail to apply it to the struggle. Besides being disobedient, we respond foolishly. The best plan-of-action is always to humbly listen then put-into-play God’s instruction.  Words from Almighty God aren’t causual or frivolous in nature; they are profound, steadfast and true:  “The statues of the LORD are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 119:7). As you learn God’s words, be wise to listen and put them into practice.  When God speaks, the next move is always yours!

Do Love Right

We all know our actions have a greater “voice” than our words!  No doubt, words matter and have tremendous power but what we do usually has grander volume than what we say. Jesus said to His followers, “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another … By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” (John 13:34-35).  These are not just ooshy-gooshy words; no! they are instructions on how we are to do-love toward other Believers. In 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13, Paul exposes his heart toward Believer-friends, “And may the Lord cause you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another, and for all people.” (V.12).  Each night I enjoy a cup of hot tea at bedtime, and I’m pretty notorious for overflowing my tea cup – oops!  Well, that’s exactly how Believers love for one another should increase-excel-overflow – and keep overflowing!  Jesus said this is what unbelievers notice; it’s not our doctrinal distinctions nor dramatic miracles nor even our love for the lost. Jesus said “by this” – by our unselfish love for other Believers!  As Paul said, let us love all people but toward those of the Household of Faith – portray a familial love such that the world takes notice.  Dad used to describe how the world should see the Body of Christ (Believers): “Oh, see how they love one another!”  Let us do love right: increase – excel – overflow with genuine Christ-like Love for one another!

Live Free

It’s both dangerous and foolish to refuse to see things as they really are.  It’s not just drugs and alcohol that may cause man to escape reality; no, the enemy employs many other vices: money, career, entertainment, relationships, etc.  David knew this: “He is like a lion eager to tear [his prey], and like a young lion lurking in hiding places.” (Psalm 17:12, AMP).  There are certainly forms of government and civil oppression around the world, but the wise will recognize personal oppression by man’s greatest enemy – Satan.  He is thrilled when discouragement, anxiety, helplessness overtake the Believer; Satan loves nothing more than to keep us there in tyranny of heart and spirit! David continues, “Arise, O LORD, confront him, cast him down; save my soul from the wicked … As for me, I shall see Your face in righteous; I will be [fully] satisfied when I awake [to find myself] seeing Your likeness.” (V.13, 15). First, David recognized and called out the real enemy of his heart, then he called on The One God Who breaks Satan’s tyrannical chains to live freely. Now, doesn’t freedom have a great ring to it!  Live wisely: know the real enemy and the absolutely real Freedom-Giver!

Morning Sounds

Whether you hear good, sorta good or not so good, there are certain things our physical ears can't hear. There are things, however, we hear with our hearts: a smile, touch of a hand, a hug.  David wrote, "Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for I trust in You." (Psalm 143:8). He asked for grace or power to understand-discern The Father's goodness, His kindness, His faithfulness - none of which can be heard audibly. While those who love the LORD will perceive these characteristics of God throughout the day, David asks to know them "in the morning." Oh my, how busy are we in the morning light! Our minds whiz with doings yet to undone, and often we plow on without the Best morning sounds leaving our spirits "overwhelmed and weak" within us (V.3). Martin Luther said, "I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer."  I wonder how much I've missed of God from being spiritually dull-of-hearing and busy hearing other things - and, yes, first thing in the morning. Let us not neglect the Beauty of The Father's morning sounds reserved for His faithful ones who seek Him early and throughout our day. Listen early!

Obey God

Although it is commanded and produces precious results, obedience to God does not come naturally. In fact, the opposite is true: we are naturally disobedient to God.  “For the first of the first month he started out from Babylon, and on the first of the fifth month he arrived in Jerusalem, because the good hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had set his heart to study and interpret the Law of the LORD, and to practice it and teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.” (Ezra 7:9-10). This Old Testament scribe experienced the “good hand” of God because he had resolved to study the words of God. That same command is for us also! We don’t always know where obedience will lead us but, like Ezra, Believers are guaranteed some of the sweetest of times simply because we choose to obey God. Whether you feel like it or not, want to or not – do what comes unnaturally: obey God.

Eye On You

A child does not fully comprehend the attentiveness of the mother. Even the smallest detail rarely escape mother’s eyes or her "something is amiss" instinct. Scripture tells us “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3).  “Out of sight, out of mind” does not apply to The God Who Sees (El Roi).  All three Pesons were present at creation - Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and His all-knowing nature is confirmed in His Word: “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:16). Now, here's the most astonishing truth about God, Who created-established-rules all things: He is still attentive to all living souls!  Walk outside and look up into the evening sky and be amazed at God's handiwork then consider this same Creator-God wants a personal relationship with you!  He’s not some generic or one-fits-all spirit as many refer to Him.  Oh no!  He is the Creator Who is attentive to His every creatures created - you and me!  He is The One Who identified Himself as “I AM WHO I AM” (Genesis 3:14) and self-declared "I am the LORD, I change not." (Malachi 3:6). A mother may [indeed] have a built-in instinct for her children yet it's given to her by The One Who genuinely and completely sees all.  Trust the One Who has His eye on you!

Joy Inescapable

What now! Do you ever have those moments when it seems to be one thing then another-another-another, one step forward and two steps back? On the tip of your tongue is “why me, Lord?” … then you catch yourself. I suggest what escapes Believers most is our joy!  The psalmist writes, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24).  This day – with all its easy-difficult-happy-sad-calm-chaotic moments – [yes] is gifted to us by The Creator. From the first to last conscious thought of every day, we are instructed to rejoice in it – be full of joy.  We cannot trust in the day’s circumstances but we can trust in The Master of all circumstances.  His Joy is steadfastly sustainable through a personal with Jesus Christ.  Does your joy seem to slip away without warning? Make sure it’s anchored in Him Whose Joy is full and boundless.  It is Joy inescapable!

Live It Now

If you’ve ever been the one responsible for what will be the epitaph on a grave marker, it’s a daunting task. And, it’s almost too much to think the words will be literally written in stone. To his friends in Thessalonica, Paul wrote of his time there: “For as you well know, we never came with words of flattery … nor did we seek glory and honor from people … but we behaved gently when we were among you … unworldly and blameless was our behavior toward you … lives [of honor, moral courage, and personal integrity] worthy of the God Who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:5-12). Christ preached by Paul was more than words!  Why [then] is this such a disconnect among Believers today?  If indeed The Gospel – Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected – is Power to save, it is most certainly Power to change lives. Such a Change is Authored by the Power of Christ to radically, significantly and substantially alter who we are as Saints of Holy God. Do not be fooled into thinking words on a grave marker tell the whole of who you are. It is the life you live now in Christ Jesus that pens His Story in you. Live it now!

No Chances

With a fountain drink and a hot cappuccino in hand, I waited [patiently] behind a customer who was buying lottery tickets. Now, this isn’t about playing the lottery, rather this profound truth: in the life of a Believer, there’s no such thing as “chance.” God plainly says in His Word, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28). This isn’t always easy-to-believe; actually, it’s often a tough pill to swallow! Honestly, it’s the “all things” that usually stumps us!  When circumstances turn sour and we have so many questions, there’s a calming-quiet in simply trusting God. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13). Believe. Ultimately, we are influenced by and live according to what we truly believe. Let’s no live life by chance – pray for Grace to believe God is who He says He is and does what He says He’ll do. Take no chances!

Season of Praise

There are seasons of our lives when our attitudes are [shall we say] better than others. Circumstances of life can change in a wink and blink! The change of seasons -- and I'm not talking about from baseball to football to basketball -- must come with continued faithfulness to The One Who is forever Merciful and eternally Faithful. "Bless and affectionately praise the LORD, O my soul, and all that is [deep] within me, bless His holy Name. Bless and affectionately praise the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits." (Psalm 103:1-2). In our faithfulness to God, God proves Himself Faithful! It's critical we remember the prosperity of the Righteous is not defined by temporal things but rather by what is unseen and eternal. Here's the truth about seasons of praise: Yesterday WAS the season of praise,today IS the season of praise, tomorrow WILL BE the season of praise. Every season -- all the times of life -- let us praise the Lord!

Have and Have Not

We refer to those who possess much as the "haves" and those who do not possess so much as the "have nots." We typically see and know what we HAVE, but aren't as quick to consider what we HAVE NOT - both, however, because of God's Goodness toward us. God, rich in Mercy, has made Believers as both the "haves" and the "have nots." Fully knowing our depraved and helpless condition, in Love, God sent His Son [Jesus] so that all who believes in Him SHALL NOT perish but HAVE everlasting life (John 3:16). Let us be ever grateful for all we HAVE AND HAVE NOT because of God's Great Love and Mercy!

Generation Forever

There's much reference these days to generations: Baby Boomer, Gen X, Gen Z. Each group is identified by unique characteristics. In his second letter to the Believers at the Thessalonian church, Paul included a warning: "Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you." (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Sadly, present-day generations are not exempt from the same deceptions and entrapments as those in the 1st Century - rebellion and abandonment of the faith. (V.3). Paul encouraged Believers to stand firm and hold tightly to what they were taught, finding courage and strength of heart to remain steadfast and on course in "every good work and word." (V.16-17). What great words for all generations, and those who adhere to them belong exclusively to Generation Forever!

Good For You

It's good for you to eat what's good for you! The only problem with that is what's "good" for us keeps changing. One thing that doesn't change - it's never in-or-out of season or fashion or style - is time spent near The Father. I love the psalmist words, "But as for me, the nearness of God is my good." (Psalm 73:28). Now, who isn't concerned with their own good! It's good to eat healthy and it's our Greatest Good to spend time in the Presence of God Who loves us Best and Most.