May this time of Thanksgiving be an opportunity for all of us to focus on the Provider of our stuff, rather than on the stuff!
May this be your prayer: (from The Valley of Vision, Praise and Thanksgiving)
O MY GOD,
Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects,
my heart admires, adores, loves thee,
for my little vessel is as full as it can be,
and I would pour out all that fullness before thee in ceaseless flow.
When I think upon and converse with thee
ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up,
ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed,
ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart,
crowding into every moment of happiness.
I bless thee for the soul thou hast created,
for adorning it, sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barren soil;
for the body thou hast given me,
for preserving its strength and vigour,
for providing senses to enjoy delights,
for the ease and freedom of my limbs,
for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding;
for thy royal bounty providing my daily support,
for a full table and overflowing cup,
for appetite, taste, sweetness,
for social joys of relatives and friends,
for ability to serve others,
for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,
for a mind to care for my fellow-men,
for opportunities of spreading happiness around,
for loved ones in the joys of heaven,
for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.
I love thee above the powers of language to express,
for what thou are to thy creatures.
Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
FREEDOM!
Psalm 119:32 "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free" (NIV).
When we think of being free, we usually associate it with no boundaries or barriers; those things that keep us hemmed in. However, the Psalmist is very clear that as he follows the commands of God he is free.
Paul tells us that we need to "run the race." Not walk, crawl, or even jog. We are to run. We are to move quickly in the commands of God. We are to obey quickly. My father-in-law has defined obedience as this: "to immediately do all that is asked with the right heart attitude." And when we do obey the Lord, freedom is what we find.
This week we have reflected on those who served and are serving to keep our freedoms secure. When it comes to our relationship with the Lord, do you see yourself as free? Are you running free? If not, my encouragement to you is to "run in the path of your (God's) commands." Allow the Word of God to be your focal point.
Run free today. Don't walk. Don't crawl. Don't slither. Run. Run free in what you do. Run free in your life. Run with total reckless abandon following the running track laid out by God Himself. Remember: following God's commands, all of them, results in freedom!
When we think of being free, we usually associate it with no boundaries or barriers; those things that keep us hemmed in. However, the Psalmist is very clear that as he follows the commands of God he is free.
Paul tells us that we need to "run the race." Not walk, crawl, or even jog. We are to run. We are to move quickly in the commands of God. We are to obey quickly. My father-in-law has defined obedience as this: "to immediately do all that is asked with the right heart attitude." And when we do obey the Lord, freedom is what we find.
This week we have reflected on those who served and are serving to keep our freedoms secure. When it comes to our relationship with the Lord, do you see yourself as free? Are you running free? If not, my encouragement to you is to "run in the path of your (God's) commands." Allow the Word of God to be your focal point.
Run free today. Don't walk. Don't crawl. Don't slither. Run. Run free in what you do. Run free in your life. Run with total reckless abandon following the running track laid out by God Himself. Remember: following God's commands, all of them, results in freedom!
Friday, November 6, 2009
You Can't Fail!
"My dear friends, stand firm and don't be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile" (1 Cor. 15:58 CEV).
Bad news, tragedy, horror, illness, and death. The list could go on of events and issues in our life that can shake us and deter us from accomplishing anything. And yet, God says to "stand firm and don't be shaken." We must understand that we will fall but we have the strength to rise. No matter what may come our way, we must not allow the philosophies, ideas, and morals of the world to distract us or cause us to fall. God wants us to be standing firm because that is the only way we will be able to keep "working for the Lord."
In the midst of those strong wind blowing days, keep in mind that what is done for the Lord has extreme worth. Keep close to your heart the words of Paul found in Romans 8: "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? . . . Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Vv. 31-32,35,37).
Because of our relationship with Christ, as believers, we are victors! We are already winners! We are on the winning team! We have nothing to lose! It is a done deal. What is done for Christ will ALWAYS accomplish what God wants it to. So if it is for God, go for it. Don't let the assumed difficulties or your own personal apprehensions to defeat you. YOU are a winner!
What would you attempt to do if you knew you couldn't fail? Just remember what Jesus said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matt. 19:26).
Bad news, tragedy, horror, illness, and death. The list could go on of events and issues in our life that can shake us and deter us from accomplishing anything. And yet, God says to "stand firm and don't be shaken." We must understand that we will fall but we have the strength to rise. No matter what may come our way, we must not allow the philosophies, ideas, and morals of the world to distract us or cause us to fall. God wants us to be standing firm because that is the only way we will be able to keep "working for the Lord."
In the midst of those strong wind blowing days, keep in mind that what is done for the Lord has extreme worth. Keep close to your heart the words of Paul found in Romans 8: "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? . . . Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Vv. 31-32,35,37).
Because of our relationship with Christ, as believers, we are victors! We are already winners! We are on the winning team! We have nothing to lose! It is a done deal. What is done for Christ will ALWAYS accomplish what God wants it to. So if it is for God, go for it. Don't let the assumed difficulties or your own personal apprehensions to defeat you. YOU are a winner!
What would you attempt to do if you knew you couldn't fail? Just remember what Jesus said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matt. 19:26).
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