Thanks for God's Love

There are many things for which we can give thanks.  Take time to read this entire list and think about them as you read them.  The subject of thanks could be: family, health, freedom, life, strength, dexterity, joy, happiness, home, food, safety, worship, instruction, help, friends, air, sun, rain, mountains, trees, flowers, gardens, sky, stars, breath, life, laughter, sight, hearing, taste, feeling, the Bible, godly examples, grass, animals, birds, water, clouds, rainbows, lightening, thunder, fish, oceans, sand, light, atmosphere, temperature, doctors, hospitals, emergency personnel, moonlight, nighttime. Even though this is a long list, many things could be added to it. 

One psalm from the Bible identifies something that God provides for us.  In the 26 verses of Psalm 136 the phrase, “his love endures forever” is expressed 26 times – once in each verse.  This thought suggests four things that the psalmist wanted everyone to know about God.

1)      First, “His” – The Source.  At the beginning of this phrase the psalmist directly identified that God was the foundation of the love for which he was thankful.  The gospel of John identifies the person, character, and the work of the love of God when it says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).  The psalmist publicly expressed thanks to God as the source of love, and the action of love that God had revealed to him.

2)     Next, “Love” – The Focus.  The love of God was expressed sacrificially when Jesus died on the cross, thereby paying the penalty of our sin.  In John’s epistle he says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (I John 3:16).  So, the psalmist was grateful for the way God’s expressed his love through Jesus, His son.

3)    Then “Endures” – The Extent.  The love that God shares is a lasting love.  In the book of Lamentations, the writer explains God’s love this way: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).  Similarly, Jeremiah says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).  These expressions reveal the magnitude of God’s love for mankind.

4)     Finally, “Forever” – The Duration.  The extent of God’s love goes on and on.  It has no interval of time when it discontinues. The psalmist said, “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” (Psalm 100:5).  This quality of God’s love never wears out. The psalmist was grateful for this kind of love, and we should be too.

Think about these questions: (1) Have you experienced God’s love?  (2) Are you glad God loves you?  (3) Have you taken time to thank God for his love?  (4) Are you grateful that God’s love endures forever?  As you think about God’s love take time today to give thanks to God for the love that he has shown to you.

Sand and God's Abundance

Vacation is always a great time to relax, to go someplace that you do not usually get to on a regular basis, and to experience a time of rejuvenation.  Occasionally when my wife and I go to Florida for a bit of relaxation we try to get to the ocean so we can enjoy the beach.   As we walk up and down the beaches I am impressed by the sand.  There is so much of it, and it seems to extend for unending miles ahead of us. Multiply the sand on the beach on which we are walking plus the hundreds of beaches around the world.  Obviously there is lots of sand.

When I think of beaches, I remember that the sand was created by God; but I’m also aware that He refers to sand when He wants to describe something that is great in number.  For example, He told Abraham, “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore” (Genesis 22:17).  When the Israeli judge Gideon fought for God, his enemies had many camels.  Scripture describes it this way, “Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore” (Judges 7:12).  Sand reminds me of abundance.  And when I think of abundance I’m reminded that God provides for you and me in abundant ways.  Scripture says that God gives us:

Blessings – “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (II Corinthians 9:8)

Joy, Peace and Hope – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

Grace – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

Our Needs – “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19)

Love and Faithfulness – “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6).

Abundant Life – “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).

The Apostle Paul sums up his thoughts about what God does for us in abundant measure with these words, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).  I am thankful for God’s wonderful provisions for us that come in abundant measure including His spiritual blessings, His grace, and His miraculous power.  Aren’t you thankful for God’s abundance in the things He does for us?

Promises of God

In the Bible, at the end of the reign of Joshua, the elders, leaders, judges, and officials of Israel were called together and reminded what God had done for them over the years.  One recap Joshua gives points to the promises that God had made to them.  He said: “You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed” (Joshua 23:14).

 

Many of the promises from God that are contained in the Bible are not only for Israel but also for us.  So, from time to time, we need to be reminded of what Joshua said to the leaders of Israel.  When God promises something, we can be assured that it will come to pass.  We can also be confident that God will do exactly what He says He will do.  Notice the following comments that are reflected from Joshua’s reminder:

 

1)      We can know the promises of God.  The words “You know” suggests that God has been faithful in the past and those who trust in Him can understand and have complete confidence in what God says and does.

2)      God’s promises are always great.  If one were to characterize the promises of God, they can be done so under the word “good.”  This means that the promises are not only excellent, but they are something to be desired.

3)      God’s promises are always successful.  Regarding the promises “not one … has failed.” In other words, each promise has been effective to accomplish what God intended.

4)      Promises that God makes always come to pass.  The text says that the promises God has made have been “fulfilled.”  In every situation they can be counted on to be completed.

5)      God’s promises never stop working.  His promises have not “failed”, nor will they ever fail.  There is no time that God’s promises will not come to fruition.  They will always turn out positively.

Here are a few of the promises that God has made.

1)      God is faithful to you – “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (I Corinthians 1:9).

2)      God is present with you – “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).

3)      God abundantly provides for you – “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

4)      God gives guidance to you – “He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3).

5)      God protects you – “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one” (II Thessalonians 3:3).

In what promise of God are you resting in today?  Remember, God is faithful, and you can have complete confidence in the promises that He makes.

Routine

Most of us get tired of thinking about and doing things that need to be done routinely.  Every day we open our eyes, wash our face, comb our hair, brush our teeth, put on makeup or shave our face.  We may even go outside for some exercise, take the dog for a walk, call someone on the telephone or respond to email messages.  The list could go on and on.  Although we may tire of these routine activities, just think of what would happen if we were not able to open our eyes, take care of our personal needs, eat meals, go to work, or talk with someone.  We’d be in big trouble.

What about the things that happen routinely that we do not usually even think about like breathing, the pumping of our heart, and the blood pushed through every part of our body?  I’m so glad these things get taken care of routinely by God.  We would be in bad shape if any of these routine activities would stop functioning. Acts 17:24-25 says, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth … and he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.”

We should not be afraid of routine nor should we think of routine actions as something that is an inconvenience.  God is not only God of the unusual but God of the routine.  He made the earth that routinely rotates on its axis.  He made the day and the night that routinely alternate.  He made the seasons through which we routinely move.  He is the giver of life and we routinely breathe the air He created.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that it is “…God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (I Timothy 6:17).  The Apostle James affirms that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).

As we continue into this fall season, we will once again be confronted with the beauty of the changing color of the leaves.  This is routine; it happened last year, and it will happen again this year.  But let’s rejoice in the wonderful provision that God has made for us—even with the routine “stuff.”

Impossible ... Or?

The Bible tells us that when the Israelites left Egypt and were about to cross over the Jordan River to enter the land that God had promised them, they feared many things.  The nations in the land were bigger and stronger than they were.  There were huge cities which were fortified with huge walls.  The inhabitants were so tall they were considered giants.  To the Israelites these things would be impossible were it not for one thing – God would go ahead of them.  With God’s strength, power, wisdom, and His promises He would be with them.  They were still fearful, but God gave them this reminder: “Today know this: GOD, your God, is crossing the river ahead of you” (Deuteronomy 9:3).

The Covid-19 pandemic, unemployment, loss of income, isolation from family members, inability to gather in large groups, and many other things are of great concern to us, or at times cause us to fear.  It seems that some of these things are impossible for us to get through.  What a great comfort and assurance it would be to remember that God goes before us, like He did the Israelites, into this “impossible situation.”  The verse tells us (1) The God of all strength goes with you – “God is”; (2) God is a personal God – “Your God”; and (3) God gets involved when we step out in faith.  “Is crossing … ahead of you.”

Don’t let impossibilities get you down.  Turn to God today and let Him help you as you face those impossible things that confront you today.

What Happened to "March Madness"?

March is the month for the NCAA men’s basketball annual tournament called “March Madness” – an event in which 68 Division 1 college teams are invited to participate.  In 1939, Henry Porter, an official with the Illinois High School Association, wrote an article called “March Madness” for the organization’s in-house magazine.  Later this term was adopted by NCAA officials for the tournament.

However. this year there is no March Madness – at least as it relates to basketball.  The basketball tournament was cancelled due to concerns about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  Obviously, this pandemic has put America and the rest of the world in a panic causing many different emotions including fear, nervousness, worry. anxiety, and stress.  COVID-19 is a virus we don’t want to get exposed to or infected with.  Nor do we want our family or friends exposed or infected.

So how should we handle these emotions that confront us because of the pandemic?  Where should we go to get comfort, encouragement and help in time of need?  In the Bible, Hebrews 4:16 gives us an answer. It says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  In other words, we should turn to God.  The psalmist says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).  In John 14:11 Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

There are several implications for us in these scripture verses.  (1) We need to pray.  (2) God is the one who will help us. (3) We can expect God’s help even when we are in trouble.  (4)  Peace is available to us.  The common theme is that we need to turn to God and put our fears, our nervousness, our worry, our anxiety, and our stress in His hands.

Thanks be to God

It is almost impossible to come to the month of November without thinking about Thanksgiving.  Of course, Thanksgiving is a national holiday and it is used for everything from food to sports events to family get-togethers.  All these things are fun, but the real reason for Thanksgiving is to set aside a special time to give thanks to God for His bountiful provisions for us.

When the Apostle Paul’s heart was full of thanksgiving he expressed his thanks to God.  He thanked God for Jesus, who was God’s love gift to mankind.  “Thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:57).  Paul also gave thanks to God for the privilege of spreading the Good News of the Gospel.  “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in the triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him” (II Corinthians 2:14).

What about your response during this Thanksgiving season?  Is your heart full of thanksgiving to God?  Are you ready and open to give thanks to your Heavenly Father?  I encourage you to personally thank God, but I also encourage you to share your thanks to God with someone else.  Let them know of your gratefulness to God for Christ, for the victory that you have in Him, and for the opportunity to let the light of God’s love be spread from you to other people.