Showers of Blessing

We know that moisture is important for people as well as for vegetation.  Plants, flowers, vegetables and people all need moisture because without water plants, trees, and you and I would die.  God graciously supplies the moisture to the earth to keep his creation healthy and growing.  Among other things the Bible tells us that God blesses his people with showers of blessing (Ezekiel 34:26).  In the Old Testament of the Bible we read, “I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. The trees will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land. They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them” (Ezekiel 34:26-27).  From these verses we learn several things:

1)    Showers are sent in the season in which they are to exist. – “Showers in season.”

2)    Showers provide moisture that is needed for fruit and crops to grow and yield. – “Trees will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops.” 

3)    Showers offer security and a feeling of confidence for people because they are in a land that richly takes care of them. – “The people will be secure in their land.”

4)    Showers help people understand that the Lord is God and He constantly cares for his own. – “They will know that I am the Lord.”

5)    Showers are called “showers of blessing” because of the many benefits they provide for people – physical, spiritual, and emotional. – “Showers of blessing.”

In 1883 Major Daniel Webster Whittle wrote the words to the hymn, “There Shall be Showers of Blessing.”  He was wounded in the war, his arm was amputated, and while recovering he began reading the New Testament which his mother had given him.  Another young soldier was dying and a nurse attending both men asked Whittle if he would go pray for the dying young man.  She had seen him reading the Bible and assumed he was a Christian.  Since Whittle was not a Christian, he refused to go; however, after a little persuasion he finally decided to do as she asked.  He went to the young man’s side, knelt down, asked Jesus to forgive him of his own sins, and then earnestly prayed for the young man. When he finished praying, the young soldier was dead.  Whittle said, “A look of peace came across the young man’s troubled face and I believe God also used him to bring me to the Savior by trusting in Christ’s precious blood and forgiving my sins.”

The song he wrote expresses his thoughts about spiritual showers and the lyrics are:

“There shall be showers of blessing: This is the promise of love;

“There shall be seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above.

“Showers of blessing, Showers of blessing we need;

“Mercy-drops round us are falling, But for the showers we plead.”

These words are a good reminder that God showers us with many blessings and brings people into our lives to help us.  What God wants from us is to turn to him in trust and obedience.

The Bible and Time

God is a God of Time.  Acts 17:24 states, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.” Since God was the creator of everything, He is the creator of time.  Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”  Time can be specific – as indicated in the Ecclesiastes passage above – or it can be a season of the year or a specific period.  Time can also be identified as a critical point when action needs to be taken.  I Chronicles 12:32 refers to a point in time by saying, “men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.”

Time can be measured in many ways:  It can be marked by: (1) Seasons – summer, fall, winter, or spring; (2) By the Calendar System – years, months, weeks, and days; or (3) By Units – hours, minutes, and seconds.  Time can also be a specific period in which something happens.  For example, God does things in his time such as sending his Son, Jesus, to this earth.  The Bible says, “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Galatians 4:4).

Here are a few other things the Bible tells us about time.

1)    Time is valuable.  Psalm 90:12 – “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

2)    Time is brief and it can be lost.  Job 14:5 – “A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.”

3)    Time is a marker.  Ecclesiastes 3:11 – “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

4)    Time should be used wisely.  Ephesians 5:16-17 – “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

What are you doing with the time God has given you?  The time He has provided is valuable, it is brief, and it needs to be used with great wisdom.  Are you using your time to make a difference for your family, for others, and especially for God?

Your Image

The word “image” comes from a Latin word that means “to copy or imitate.”  That is exactly what a mirror does. In addition, “image” has been expanded to mean a vivid representation or description.  It has also come to mean a characteristic about how an individual is perceived by other people.  Our personal image is what sets us apart from other people.  It is important that the image we portray is a good image because it helps others feel that we are trustworthy, desirable as a friend or an employee, and more complete as a worker or a leader.

A Christian is a person whose personal image is extremely important – not just to make him or her look good, but to provide a positive message about the Lord whom they represent, worship, and serve.

H. B. London of Focus on the Family wrote this about image:

“What people imagine in their minds about your ministry and the environment in which you minister does make a difference.  The way your office looks when people come to visit, makes a difference.  How you look, makes a difference.  How you treat people, makes a difference.  How your family is perceived, makes a difference.  The sermons you deliver, make a difference.  How the non-Christian world sees you as you walk through the village, makes a difference.  What you think of yourself, makes a difference.”

I would add to the above that your personal image includes who you are, what you say, and how you act.  Matthew refers to image when he says, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).  Our image should:

1)    Be bright as a light that illuminates – “Let your light shine”

2)    Be Constantly shown to others – “before men”

3)    Reflect the good things we do – “see your good deeds”

4)    Point people to God – “praise your Father in heaven”

Our personal image is something we need to take seriously.  What image do you portray before people?  Are your words and your actions making a difference for the cause of Christ?  Maybe we ought to examine ourselves and make sure that the image we portray does not turn people away from Christ but directs them to our wonderful Lord.

Life After Christmas

Have you noticed that as soon as Christmas is over something disappears?  Christmas carols are no longer heard on radio or TV.  Everyone has stopped singing Christmas songs.  Holiday Decorations have been packed away for another year.  Hearing about the Savior’s birth is not expressed by anyone, including religious leaders.  “Merry Christmas” greetings are missing when someone addresses you.  And Christmas cards, letters, and emails are not found in mailboxes or on computers.

What happens when these things are gone?  People are unenthusiastic and they feel letdown.  They have lost their sense of expectation, and it seems as if their vibrancy has decreased.  But this is not the way it should be after Christmas.  Why?  Because Jesus should still be at the center of our thoughts and conversations.  His birth has taken place in what we call the first Advent, but there will be a second advent.  Jesus is coming again (John 14:1-3).

What we need is a transformation – a change in our thinking so our mind is aligned with God.  The Apostle Paul said, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2).  We need a complete change in our mindset.  Christ died on the cross taking our place and paying the penalty for our sins.  He came not just to be born in a manger but to offer abundant life to us, to forgive us, and to provide eternal life through faith in Him.

What we need after Christmas is to focus on Jesus, and not just the things that are missing.  In our response to the good news of Christmas let’s allow Jesus to come into our life and make us a new and different person in all that we think or do.  The Bible says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (II Corinthians 5:17, TLB).  The Bible also points to other things which were lost including a lamb, a coin and a son (Luke 15:3-32).  However, the text tells us that each of these things were found and as a result there was much rejoicing.  When you receive Jesus as your Savior, you will experience great joy because He will provide just what you need.  The Bible says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).  When we find Christ we discover what was really missing in our lives.  Inviting Him to come into your life will make your joy complete.  Jesus is with us.  He is not missing. Let’s be glad and rejoice.

Trusting Through Troubles

The inscription on U.S. coins which we carry in our pocket or purse contain the words “In God We Trust.”  Question: Do you really put your trust in God?  Trusting God when times are good is easy for anyone.  However, it is a bit more difficult to trust God when things do not turn out the way you thought they would.

The Biblical Christmas story tells of two individuals who trusted God – Mary and Joseph.  They were engaged to be married, had a commitment to each other, and a commitment to God’s Word.  They wholeheartedly believed what God said.  An angel appeared to Mary and said, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:30-33).  Mary was shocked about the situation because she asked the angel, “How will this be … since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34).  The angel explained, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).  Even though Mary was confused, her implicit trust in God was shown when she said to the angel, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38).

Joseph was extremely distressed when he discovered that his fiancé was pregnant.  However, he was a righteous young man and he did not want to expose Mary to public grace.  So his plan, which he felt would cause the least hurt to Mary, was to divorce her in a quiet manner.  However, an angel appeared to him and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21).  Like Mary, Joseph’s action to the communication from the angel showed his unconditional trust in God.  Scripture tells us, “he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus” (Matthew 1:24-25).  Obviously, things did not work out the way this young couple had planned.  However, both of them obediently followed God’s direction and allowed God to work in their lives.

When things do not work out for you as you thought they would, do you find yourself trusting God through obedience and courage like Mary and Joseph?  Are you willing to put your life completely in God’s hands?   Remember, God is big enough, strong enough, and powerful enough to meet every need that you have.  The Bible says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). During this Christmas season and in coming New Year, why not step out in faith and make “In God We Trust” a reality no matter what your circumstances?

The Object of Thanks

During the Thanksgiving season we are often encouraged to be thankful and that is a good biblical principle.  The Bibe says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:18). If you examine the New International Version (NIV) translation of the Bible, you will discover that the words “give” and “thanks" are repeated together 33 times.  In nearly all these cases “thanks” is more than just having a thankful attitude.  There is an object towards which thankfulness is directed.  You would assume that the object of thanks would be people.  Why?  Because people give gifts, do nice things for others, or express words of encouragement.  Common sense tells us that we should be thankful for what others do for us.  However, the object towards which we should be thankful in the verses with the two words mentioned is the Lord.  For example, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).

In these verses there are a number of occasions where thanks to the Lord is accompanied with worship.  The Bible says, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song” (Psalm 28:7).  Singing to God is a way to worship.  Scirpture also says, “I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High” (Psalm 7:17). These “give thanks” verses identify several important actions that all of us can take this Thanksgiving season.

1)    Direct your thanks toward God.  You might thank the Lord for His provision for you – the food you enjoy, the air you breathe, the family of which you are a part, the salvation He provides for you, the forgiveness of your sins, or the many blessings you receive from God.

2)    Include worship as you give thanks.  Praise God, as you speak, sing or as you hum a tune.  A church service would be a good place for you to worship God.  However, wherever you are – at home, at work, or on a long walk – let a hymn or words of praise flow through your mind or be on your lips as you hum or sing or pray.  If you sing, do not worry about singing on key; just make a “joyful noise” (Psalm 100:1) before the Lord.

3)    Give thanks whatever is happening to you.  You may be discouraged and lonely or “down and out.”  Even if you find yourself in these circumstances, there are many things for which to thank God like the rain that provides refreshment, the sunshine you enjoy, the cool breeze on your face.  Let’s make the Lord the object of our thanksgiving.

This year take time to think about how your giving of thanks can be focused on God.  Let the things for which you are thankful be saturated with the Lord who is the object of your faith. 

Joy of Fulfillment

Most people can think about things for which they have had great anticipation.  Maybe that anticipation was a birthday, Christmas time, a new bike, a new game player, a new car, or a new home.  Possibly, you have anticipated the visit of a friend or relative whom you have not seen for some time.  Most likely all of us can think of things for which we have anticipated and most likely there will be further anticipations in the years ahead.  Anticipation is the excitement that a person has about looking forward to something that will bring a smile to their face, provide a note of joy to their heart, and fill them with a sense of great satisfaction. 

Most of the time anticipation is positive because the fulfillment will bring much happiness to the individual.  However, sometimes anticipation can be negative, especially when the individual has anticipated something for a long but it has not yet materialized.  This might result in a feeling of “dreaded expectation” and it may also produce fear or anxiety, rather than hope, and trust. 

From a biblical perspective, anticipation is a confident belief that what God has said will take place.  Another word for biblical anticipation is “faith.”  Faith as a general term is quite different than Biblical faith.  When someone has general faith, they have a “hope so” attitude.  They expect that something may happen, but in reality, it may not happen.  When someone has biblical faith, they have a “know so” attitude.  With Biblical faith they can be completely confident that what God has said will come to pass.  Hebrews 11:1 explains it this way, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”  Here are several important aspects of the statement from Hebrews.

(1) “Faith” – Is the actual anticipation of that which is expected.

(2) “Confidence” – Is Biblical faith because there is certainty in what is hoped for.

(3) “Assurance” – Is the guarantee that what is anticipated will essentially transpire – a “know so” attitude.

To sum up our discussion, anticipation is looking ahead and preparing for what God has already said and promised.  Joy comes when the result of anticipation has been fulfilled or completed. What do you look forward to?  What do you anticipate.  Is your anticipation a “hope so” kind of faith, or a “know so” kind of faith?  If you are looking for something for which you can be completely confident that it will actually happen, then go to the Bible and check out some of God’s promises such as “new birth”, “a living hope”, and “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” Here’s what the Apostle Peter says in his 1st Epistle.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”  I Peter 1:3-5