Reason to Give Thanks

It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High according to Psalm 92:1.  This verse also reminds us that when Jesus answered the Pharisees that there was only one who was good, and that was God.  Therefore, it is true that giving thanks is not only a good thing but a "God" thing.

Verse 2 contains some simple reminders of how to do it: to declare your lovingkindness in the morning, and your faithfulness every night.  Start your day with an awareness that God's mercy is fresh every morning, and establish this truth for the day by declaring it over your day. Then as you retire for the night, let your closing thoughts and words be giving thanks for His faithfulness in taking care of you in all the events of the day.  

It is both true and humbling to remember what 1 Corinthians 4:7 asks, "what do you have that you did not receive?"  Take time to acknowledge and reflect with a thankful heart all God has given. 

Secondly, Thanksgiving causes us to look forward to all God has for us in the future: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."  (1 Corinthians 2:9)  We clearly are the most blessed on the earth, as Psalm 21:6 states, and have every reason to be grateful for His gracious gift of Himself!  

Choose Joy

Joy is a choice.  Paul, while in a Roman prison and probably knowing that he would lose his life, wrote the letter to the Philippians. That is why it seems so incredulous that he states in Phil 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice."  Peter and John express the same sentiment, even after being beaten for sharing the good news of Jesus, in Acts 5:41, "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name."  There must be an anchor much deeper and stronger than the present circumstances in which the believer's life and joyful well-being depend upon.  

We just celebrated the birth of Jesus.  We sing the words, "glorious morning when Christ was born!"  We not only celebrate His birth, but also enjoy forever the purpose of His coming.  How can we describe an awesome and excellent God who cares so much about each of us?  This message was declared by the angel "I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people." Jesus clearly demonstrated this through taking all men's sins to the cross and releasing everlasting life to all who call upon Him.  He explains to His disciples in John 15 the purpose of His life and His work, "that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."   

Have you noticed that children look forward to Christmas often because of the gifts, but the adults, or the mature, can see beyond the gifts to the loved ones who give gifts as tokens of their desire to give of themselves to those who are dear.  Certainly, in the midst of all God's gifts is the overriding truth that He has given Himself to us, and He desires to be our everlasting strength, joy, and life.  His gift of Jesus clearly reveals not only what He has given to us, but more importantly, the person and Life He is. 

Who are we and how can we respond to the fact that He has not only given Himself to us in coming as a child at Bethlehem, but also that this gift shows His heart which is willing to lay down His life for us in order to purchase our eternal joy with Him?   

In the carol O Holy Night, there is a line "and the soul felt its worth."  The fact that the infinite, glorious God would cheerfully lower Himself to be born a frail, helpless man in the most humble of circumstances, to a poor family in a dirty manager and and be known as from corrupt Nazareth (Can anything good come from Nazareth?), clearly reveals His total commitment to love us.  Psalm 8 reminds us "what is man?" with the answer that God has crowned us with glory and honor.  His coming and establishing us as His children with the authority and gift of ruling with Him forever is beyond our finite understanding, but the truth of His coming, His death and resurrection continue to manifest His eternal devotion to our value and place in His heart forever. 

No matter what happens or how evil the world becomes, the eternal truth of who we are in God's eyes and the value demonstrated by His coming, death, and resurrection far surpass any earthly suffering.  In short, all those who receive Him receive His love and nothing can separate us from the joy of reigning with Him forever.  Let us rejoice. 

Heart of God

Honor and blessings to all mothers as we celebrate Mother's Day! 

God's plans are awesome.  There is a good reason He compares and contrasts a mother's love (in Isaiah 49) in describing His love toward us.  Through motherhood (and fatherhood) He allows us to share His feelings toward His children and the joy of seeing them make wise choices.  It is stated in 2 John that he rejoices greatly to find his children walking in the truth.  We have the honor to share the heart of God.

 On one hand, mothers, you are to be highly commended for being a mother and all you do to ensure the well-being and growth of your children.  Everyone knows the daily routine of feeding, washing, clothing, providing for their every need is often a full-time and often thankless job.  It is a laying down your life in all the "little things" that fill your day, that result in the "big things" of your children knowing they are loved and valuable.  Having this foundation allows each one to be secure and to grow into the person God meant each one to be. Clearly, Mother's Day gives the opportunity for children to rise up and bless their mothers with a special thank you of appreciation.  This is good and right, but nothing compares to the final "Well done, good and faithful servant" that awaits you.  

 However, on the other hand, what do we have and what can we do unless it is a gift from the Lord?  When it is all said and done, all we can ever do is thank God that He allowed us to have the desire and strength to do what He gives us.  It always reminds me of the parable in Luke 17, where Jesus concludes, "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.' "  We will be amazed forever how God used our "simply doing what needs to be done" to accomplish His eternal purpose.  In this sense, Mother's Day is a day to thank God for the privilege and strength to serve Him in this favored position.  "Thank you, Lord, for letting me be used to touch forever the lives You have given me."

The greatest in God's kingdom is servant of all. Sharing God's heart and acting accordingly brings us into oneness with the Lord forever.