Thankfulness

“What if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you thanked God for today?”  This is an interesting question, isn’t it?  It probably goes without saying that we so easily get into the rut of thinking that things will pretty much be the same today as they were yesterday.  However, if you are honest with yourself, you could most likely count on one hand what you thanked God for yesterday.  If it were not for the grace of God we would be woefully lacking in many of the necessities of life.

The Thanksgiving season is usually the time of year when people are encouraged to express thanks, at least in some manner.  In the Bible, the Apostle Paul gives this instruction: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).   And again, he says, “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything” (Ephesians 5:20).  These verses do not sound like the giving of thanks should be reserved for one season of the year.  Thanks to God ought to overflow from our hearts and spill out from our lips on a regular basis every day.  Let’s let the fruit of our lips be regularly expressed in thanksgiving to God.  Get ready; get set; give thanks.

Obsessed with Fast

People in our society are obsessed with speed.  We want fast food, fast internet hookup, fast response to questions, fast communication, and fast pain relief.  We want to lose weight fast, we want to get our news fast, we want wounds to heal fast, we want immediate solutions to problems, we want to make money fast, we want to learn how to play an instrument fast, and we want to get a loan fast.  We don’t’ like to wait in line at the grocery store or at the bank.  We go to a different gas station if there is a lineup at our favorite location.  If we have to wait a few seconds for our computer to boot up we head to the electronic store to get a newer faster one.

The problem is that fast is not always the solution to our difficulties. There are many things for which we have to wait such as time to get our driver’s license, for certain stores to open, for entering college, for the birth of a child, for the sun to come up, and for the seasons to change. None of these things come instantly, but require time and waiting.   Scripture suggests that we need to slow down.  The Bible says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Isaiah 46:10).  The Bible tells us to “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).   The Biblical instruction is to “Let all the earth be silent before him” (Habakkuk 2:20).   There is a time for silence.  There is a time for waiting.  Fast isn’t always the best.

When the Children of Israel had come out of Egypt they were anxious to celebrate the Passover.  But Moses was not in a hurry.  He said, “Wait, and I will listen to what the LORD will command concerning you” (Numbers 9:8).  The prophet Elijah was seeking the Lord, but he didn’t find him in that which was loud (like an earthquake) or that which was fast (like a raging fire).  Instead He found God in “a still small voice” (I Kings 19:12).  The next time you are anxious and want things “fast”, ask yourself, “What might I gain by waiting?  Wisdom?  Maturity?  A clearer sense of direction?  Waiting is good for us.  Are you willing to wait?

Seasons and Life

Seasons of the year begin and they end.  You may enjoy one season more than other seasons because you like certain kinds of activities.  Your deepest desire is for your favorite season to stay around a little longer.  However, as much as you hope or wish for a longer season it will regularly merge into the next season.  The writer of Scripture indicates that there are seasons (or times) for various activities.  There is a season for plowing; a season for planting, a season for harvesting; there is a rainy season, a dry season, and a season for enjoying fruit.

Just as there are seasons in our world, there are seasons in our lives.  Some seasons are filled with joy, some with expectation and some contain times of difficulty and discouragement.  It is unrealistic for a person who is a Christian to think that things will always be happy and joyful.  Any one season will change and activities or things that take place in that season will change irrespective of whether someone has put their trust in Christ or not.  Amid the changing seasons, whether in our world or in our lives, one thing does not change.  God says, “For I am the Lord, I change not” (Malachi 3:6).  Scripture says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).  So, just as the seasons of our earth change and the seasons of  our lives change we can count on the fact that God does not change.  If you want confidence and assurance amid all the changes of life, put your trust in God.  He will not fail you.

Absolutely Clear

When I am away from my home or my work computer and something impresses me that I want to remember I quickly make a hand-written note to myself.  I keep the note in my pocket until I can get to my computer and then enter the note and other thoughts.  However, the notes I write to myself sometimes look like a scribbled mess and I can’t read the words that I hurriedly wrote, much less remember the thoughts behind them.

I am so glad that when God wrote to us He did so by making His words very clear and specific.  He never scribbles, but always speaks to the point and allows His intentions to be abundantly clear so we know exactly what He says.  In fact, God’s word is so clear that no one needs to have a higher education degree in order to understand.   The Psalmist said, “Break open your words, let the light shine out, let ordinary people see the meaning” (Psalm 119:130 MSG).  In addition it says, “The revelation of GOD is whole and pulls our lives together.  The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road” (Psalm 19:7 MSG).

Do you want to have understandable and specific direction for your life that is always clear and to the point?  Open a Bible, check the table of contents, and go to the New Testament Gospel of Mark.  Read only a few verses, a paragraph or a chapter at a time.  As you read, ask God to make His words clear so you can understand what He wants you to know and do.  His words are abundantly clear. 

When Things Don't Work Out

Many hours, much energy, and lots of anticipation have gone into some of my recent plans.  The hours, energy and anticipation in putting together plans for a “big event” have been important.  Without plans there is no direction and it is easy to get off task.  However, what happens when plans don’t materialize and come to fruition, at least in the way that you thought they would?  One of several things could happen.  You could get mad.  You could get frustrated.  You could sulk and have a “why me” pity party.  You could give up and say, “Forget it.”  Or, you could look for the good that might come out of the changed circumstances.

The Bible tells us that we need to plan.  It says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).  But when plans don’t materialize we may have received wrong advice (or no advice) or maybe God has something that He wants us to learn.  The writer of Proverbs tells us, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).   Those times when our plans fail we ought to examine why they failed and then eagerly, try to discipher what God is trying to teach us.

Things Change

For the last several years I have been writing a collection of stories about various incidents that have happened in my life.  I guess you could say, I’ve been writing my memoirs.  In doing so, I have been looking through old photographs to place in the final document.   What I have noticed is that things have changed.  When I look old pictures of myself my response is “Wow.  I’ve really changed.  I sure looked a lot younger in those pictures.”  Well, the fact is that I have changed, other people have changed, and circumstances have changed.  A short time ago I received an email message from a friend with an attachment telling about how things “used to be.”   It all made sense as I remember many of those things which “I used to do.”  Times have changed.

Amid all the change we observe, we long for something that does not change.  I am reminded that God does not change.  Micah 3:6 says, “For I am the LORD, I change not.”  James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  The Scripture also says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8).  When you need an anchor for your life amid all the change that is happening around you, turn to the Lord.  He stands ready to help you, provide a solid foundation, and give you a sure footing when everything else changes.  You can count on Him.  He does not change.

How Are You Dressed?

When we wake up in the morning, depending on the activity of the day, we put on stuff – usually makeup and clothes.  We want to look our best to people whom we may meet or for that in which we will be involved.  Clothes make a difference.  It is interesting that God tells to be dressed, or to “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Romans 13:14).   There are certain things that we need to “put on” continuously, or make a part of our daily lives.  Positively, we are to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.  In other words, we are to have Him in us – His very person.  But, we are also to let His mind be our mind.  We are to take on the attitudes that He has.  We are to carry out the actions He would carry out.  On the negative side we are to stay away from, or exterminate, that which pulls us and others down – namely, sin.  So, when you get up each morning and put on your cosmetics and your clothes, ask yourself, “Am I dressed correctly this morning?"