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).
Friday, October 30, 2009
God's Workmanship
Ephesians 2:10 says "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (NIV).
An amazing verse that many of us are familiar with. And yet, I believe the most important word in that verse is not "God," "workmanship," or even "created." I believe the most important word in that verse is found with only three letters. It is the word "are." May not be flashy or mind-blowing, but it sure does bring comfort, strength, and even confidence to those who are His!
Just think, at this very moment, God is working in you to make you what He wants you to be! He is using the events, issues and circumstances in your life to prepare you for the future. A future that could be literally seconds away!
How would you answer the following: Describe God in one word. Amazing. Love. Kind. Forgiving. Father. Wonderful. Truth. The list could go on forever. After this past week I would have to answer: worker! Probably not what you expected. However, as I have seen the work of God in people's lives it brings me to tears!
God is constantly loving, forgiving, meeting needs AND working: healing, comforting, saving, answering prayer, etc. God is doing amazing, wonderful things in people's lives every day. It is time that we start reflecting on the positive in our lives and the lives of others rather than on the negative.
Besides, God is working in our lives at this very moment for His "work" for us. He has something He wants you to do. Are you ready? No. Why? God is still working!
An amazing verse that many of us are familiar with. And yet, I believe the most important word in that verse is not "God," "workmanship," or even "created." I believe the most important word in that verse is found with only three letters. It is the word "are." May not be flashy or mind-blowing, but it sure does bring comfort, strength, and even confidence to those who are His!
Just think, at this very moment, God is working in you to make you what He wants you to be! He is using the events, issues and circumstances in your life to prepare you for the future. A future that could be literally seconds away!
How would you answer the following: Describe God in one word. Amazing. Love. Kind. Forgiving. Father. Wonderful. Truth. The list could go on forever. After this past week I would have to answer: worker! Probably not what you expected. However, as I have seen the work of God in people's lives it brings me to tears!
God is constantly loving, forgiving, meeting needs AND working: healing, comforting, saving, answering prayer, etc. God is doing amazing, wonderful things in people's lives every day. It is time that we start reflecting on the positive in our lives and the lives of others rather than on the negative.
Besides, God is working in our lives at this very moment for His "work" for us. He has something He wants you to do. Are you ready? No. Why? God is still working!
Friday, October 23, 2009
What, me worry?
Worry is defined as: "to be fretful, perplexed, anxious; to cause mental distress to." Yeh, I know, I am not supposed to worry! Well, we do, don't we? We probably wouldn't call it "worry" but that is exactly what we do. We "worry" about our family, our jobs, our possessions and so much more. And yet, if we take time to reflect on ALL that we do "worry" about, how much of it is really under our control? The answer: NONE OF IT!
This past week was one in which I have to admit, I "worried." There were issues in my life that, despite my lack of control over, I "worried" about. And yet in it all, God was still there and took care of them.
Isn't it mind-boggling that we can sing about God's amazing grace, His mercy and faithfulness and then still find ourselves spending too much time in the "worry" department? Over and over again I have been reminded that not only is God faithful to me on a daily basis, He is fully aware of everything going on in my life and has it all under HIS control. I am so glad that God is never surprised by things in my life, let alone yours!
Take time today to: (1) Thank God for His faithfulness in your life; (2) Confess those times when you "worried"; (3) Ask God to help you trust Him more each day.
And remember these words from Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount":
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? [26] Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? [27] Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life" (Matt. 6:25-27)?
This past week was one in which I have to admit, I "worried." There were issues in my life that, despite my lack of control over, I "worried" about. And yet in it all, God was still there and took care of them.
Isn't it mind-boggling that we can sing about God's amazing grace, His mercy and faithfulness and then still find ourselves spending too much time in the "worry" department? Over and over again I have been reminded that not only is God faithful to me on a daily basis, He is fully aware of everything going on in my life and has it all under HIS control. I am so glad that God is never surprised by things in my life, let alone yours!
Take time today to: (1) Thank God for His faithfulness in your life; (2) Confess those times when you "worried"; (3) Ask God to help you trust Him more each day.
And remember these words from Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount":
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? [26] Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? [27] Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life" (Matt. 6:25-27)?
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Warning Lights
Coming from behind you, they may be red and blue. As you sit in your car it may be orange. But whatever color it is, warning lights are designed to make us aware of some type of emergency or letting us know that our vehicle needs repair.
Usually when we see lights flashing, we slow down so that we don't find ourselves as part of the problem. If we see our "check engine" light come on, we have a mechanic check out what the problem is.
But what about your life? It would be easy to have a light go off when there is a problem. However, God did not give us one of those. He did provide us with events, people and most importantly the Holy Spirit to be the warning lights in our lives. One of the responsibilities of the Holy Spirit is to convict. Jesus says in John 16:7-8 "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. [8] When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment." (Italics mine)
As believers, being indwelt by the Holy Spirit is to result in our producing or living out the fruit of the Spirit. And until we submit to the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives and allow Him to direct our path, we will never be able to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
So, this is what we have to do. Take the Bible and read, study, and apply to our lives what we find. Then we must walk in the Spirit and allow the Spirit to produce in us: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance" (Galatians 5:22-23). And at the same time we must flee "the works of the flesh which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like" (Galatians 5:19-21a).
Think about that check engine light. We don't like it when it comes on, but it sure can save us from a bigger headache later. Besides, I don't know anyone who likes to be stranded on the side of the road. So, take this warning and check your life and make sure that God hasn't sent a warning light for you. If He has, then don't ignore it, address it, confess it, and draw near to Him.
Usually when we see lights flashing, we slow down so that we don't find ourselves as part of the problem. If we see our "check engine" light come on, we have a mechanic check out what the problem is.
But what about your life? It would be easy to have a light go off when there is a problem. However, God did not give us one of those. He did provide us with events, people and most importantly the Holy Spirit to be the warning lights in our lives. One of the responsibilities of the Holy Spirit is to convict. Jesus says in John 16:7-8 "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. [8] When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment." (Italics mine)
As believers, being indwelt by the Holy Spirit is to result in our producing or living out the fruit of the Spirit. And until we submit to the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives and allow Him to direct our path, we will never be able to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
So, this is what we have to do. Take the Bible and read, study, and apply to our lives what we find. Then we must walk in the Spirit and allow the Spirit to produce in us: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance" (Galatians 5:22-23). And at the same time we must flee "the works of the flesh which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like" (Galatians 5:19-21a).
Think about that check engine light. We don't like it when it comes on, but it sure can save us from a bigger headache later. Besides, I don't know anyone who likes to be stranded on the side of the road. So, take this warning and check your life and make sure that God hasn't sent a warning light for you. If He has, then don't ignore it, address it, confess it, and draw near to Him.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Are you kidding?
We have all heard them. In response to our asking for help or for someones participation, we have heard them and then are amazed that people actually think we believe them. What am I talking about? Excuses. The reason why help or participation is not going to happen. Now don't get me wrong. There are times when the excuse is legitimate. However, I don't believe the percentage is very high.
We have heard things like, "I am too busy," "That's not really what I am good at," "well...uhm... well..." And to think that we are all guilty of this at some point in our lifetime.
What I want to challenge you with today is this: Do you really believe that God accepts your excuse? Whether it is for not coming to church, not participating in church activities, or serving Him, do you really think that God hears and knows your excuse and says, "Ok. I understand"?
This coming Sunday I am starting a series through the book of Jonah. He definitely gives us some great indicators of the need of "Returning to God." Take the time to consider what indicator from the life of Jonah applies to you. If you are not at church to hear the message and would like a copy, contact the church from our website at www.ohcalvary.org.
We have heard things like, "I am too busy," "That's not really what I am good at," "well...uhm... well..." And to think that we are all guilty of this at some point in our lifetime.
What I want to challenge you with today is this: Do you really believe that God accepts your excuse? Whether it is for not coming to church, not participating in church activities, or serving Him, do you really think that God hears and knows your excuse and says, "Ok. I understand"?
This coming Sunday I am starting a series through the book of Jonah. He definitely gives us some great indicators of the need of "Returning to God." Take the time to consider what indicator from the life of Jonah applies to you. If you are not at church to hear the message and would like a copy, contact the church from our website at www.ohcalvary.org.
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