As I have sat and enjoyed Thanksgiving with my family and life long friends, I have been reminded again of how truly blessed I am. It is sad that for myself and many Americans it takes a special day to remind us to reminisce and be thankful for all we have and are. The past few months have forced me to take a look at my life; past, present, and future. As I have done so, I can not help but see the hand and providence of a wonderful God woven throughout my life.
After the turkey was gone, the games played, and the friends has said their goodbyes, I was blessed with some time to ponder this day and why I need Thanksgiving. Why should I be thankful today? Why should I be thankful tomorrow?
I am blessed with another day. God has allowed me another day to breath and enjoy the life He has created for me. I may not be able to run right now, but I can walk, sing, and rejoice. My God is greater, stronger, and He is a healer who is awesome in power. He gave the greatest gift of all that I might spend eternity with Him. While I got used to losing a lot in high school and college basketball, it always pained me deeply. It angered me. What a joy to know that no matter what happens here on earth, I have eternal victory over death and the grave through Jesus Christ. That in itself makes Thanksgiving a great day. May each breath of every day be music and worship to His ears.
I am thankful for where the Lord has me. I am truly proud to be an American and thankful for those who daily put their lives in harms way to give me that freedom. I am thankful for the freedom we have to worship and to fellowship. I pray that the Lord sends a revival to this great nation and that we are truly once again One Nation Under GOD. God bless America!
I am thankful for the gifts the Lord has given to me and the passions He has laid on my heart. They have driven me and led to into who I am today. I find true joy as I use them to seek and fulfill His calling on my life. I pray for greater opportunities to use these gifts for His name's sake.
I am thankful for my family. As I hear stories of broken families and of holiday drama in other families I can truly thank the Lord for a family who loves each other and who above all loves the Lord. They are a constant example of God's unconditional and sacrificial love. They daily set an example for me in life. As I see my mom and dad serve I am so proud and so convicted. How often do I serve only when asked and forget to simply look around for need? I must be looking for opportunities to serve rather than waiting to be asked. The need is great and the harvest is ready. Make me a servant like my parents Lord. I see the looks on the faces of neighbors when my parents show up to do a thoughtful deed spur of the moment. Christ is truly seen in my parents and I pray that in these holiday times I become a greater servant. As I serve may He become more as I become less.
I am thankful for the legacy that is being left. As I see my grandpa begin to fade I am saddened. My selfish, human nature longs for him to remain on earth. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that He has a home in glory and he anxiously awaits the day he will see his Savior face to face for He has that eternal hope. I too long for that day when there will be no more pain and just the glory of the Lord. I think of my grandpa's life (grandma too) and wish I had spent more hours listening to stories. Life is fleeting, but the legacy is forever. The lives that have been touched, mine included, are immeasurable. I hope and pray that I leave that same legacy of service and love for His kingdom. I long to hear Him say "Well done good and faithful servant."
As this year has passed by quickly I have gone through many things I would not have chosen for myself. I have come to realize that I am thankful for His perfect plan. His plan is to prosper me even though I may not see it in the here and now. I look back on my life and hindsight truly is a thing of beauty. God has woven a beautiful story in my life. I have fallen time and again and made a mess of things quite often. The beauty comes in Him cleaning it up, washing me clean, and loving me as my Abba Father. My job may not be where I see myself, but it is where God has me for this season. My relationship status may not always be how I want, but it is where God wants me right now. Many of my friends have moved and it is not what I desired, but God knows and He has strengthened some of those very friendships through the miles and struggles. One of the songs I loved to hear my grandpa sing was Because He Lives. This song reminds us that because He lives I can face tomorrow. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His faithful plan for my life to date will continue into the future and for eternity. In that I hope and promise I can truly rest.
The Bible is full of the traits of God though we can never really comprehend His majesty and power for His ways and thoughts are far above ours. He is our God, our Creator, our Healer. He is the beginning and the end. He is the friend of sinners. He loves us unconditionally with more grace and mercy than we can fathom. He is faithful when we are faithless. He pours out blessings on our lives from His immeasurable riches. He is always there and always listens. He knows every part of us even before we were formed. He is our strength, our salvation, and our shield. He gives us livingwater that we may never thirst. Above all He is our eternal Father and we are His children whom He dearly loves.
Today and everyday I choose to be thankful. Thankful despite hardships and pain. Thankful despite my plans falling apart. Thankful despite what the world may say. Thankful simply because He lives, He loves me, and He has a perfect plan. I can truly say from my heart, "THANK YOU!"
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
What is my motive?
Today I was challenged to consider my motives for the things I do. 1 Corinthians 10:31 commands us to do all for His glory. What does all include? I oft forget this even includes my growth and my battle for freedom from sin. I fear that I have pursued these for my own desires and glory. I think my pride often gets in the way of His glory. I think I often think "What do I want to be seen as?" instead of seeking to truly live Matthew 5:16. My life, even in growth and battles, must be lived solely for His glory. In the victories, He gets the praise. In the defeats and struggles, I still praise Him. Psalm 79:9 reminds us that He delivers us for His name's sake and that he helps us for His glory.
Why would the God of the universe share His glory? Perhaps this is why our growth is stunted or why we fail at overcoming ensnarement to sin. Perhaps God is waiting for a transformation in our motives before He allows His spirit to transform us. In Judges 7, God trimmed Gideon's army down significantly. He did not want the Israelites to win the battle and take the glory themselves. If they were an army of few then they would see God's hand and the glory would be His. Again Psalm 115:1 says "Not to us, but to your name oh Lord be the glory." We must change our motives if we desire true renewal and transformation.
How can we see God's glory? God's glory was manifested in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1-4 paints the picture of Christ as the brightness of God's glory. Our victories will be many when we cling to Christ, seek to be made in His image, and give Him ALL the glory. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 reminds us that true liberty is found where the spirit of the Lord is. When we grab onto to Christ, the veil is lifted and the Spirit brings liberty and transformation.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
Our eyes must be fixed solely on Christ and our motives solely for His glory. Then, and only then, will we know and taste true victory and transformation. The victory is ours in Christ. Run the race in such a way!
This is my prayer for myself and my brothers and sisters in Christ:
Lord I confess my desires to make myself free and for growth are often so that others can see more of me. My desires have been to find my glory through freedom, growth, new relationships, and who I then would be. I confess that I have not been living Matthew 5:16. Lord I desire this change and this freedom that others might see your power over sin and that Your light alone may shine through me and into the darkness that others may come to you. Lord make that my sole motive and the true desire of my heart.
Why would the God of the universe share His glory? Perhaps this is why our growth is stunted or why we fail at overcoming ensnarement to sin. Perhaps God is waiting for a transformation in our motives before He allows His spirit to transform us. In Judges 7, God trimmed Gideon's army down significantly. He did not want the Israelites to win the battle and take the glory themselves. If they were an army of few then they would see God's hand and the glory would be His. Again Psalm 115:1 says "Not to us, but to your name oh Lord be the glory." We must change our motives if we desire true renewal and transformation.
How can we see God's glory? God's glory was manifested in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1-4 paints the picture of Christ as the brightness of God's glory. Our victories will be many when we cling to Christ, seek to be made in His image, and give Him ALL the glory. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 reminds us that true liberty is found where the spirit of the Lord is. When we grab onto to Christ, the veil is lifted and the Spirit brings liberty and transformation.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
Our eyes must be fixed solely on Christ and our motives solely for His glory. Then, and only then, will we know and taste true victory and transformation. The victory is ours in Christ. Run the race in such a way!
This is my prayer for myself and my brothers and sisters in Christ:
Lord I confess my desires to make myself free and for growth are often so that others can see more of me. My desires have been to find my glory through freedom, growth, new relationships, and who I then would be. I confess that I have not been living Matthew 5:16. Lord I desire this change and this freedom that others might see your power over sin and that Your light alone may shine through me and into the darkness that others may come to you. Lord make that my sole motive and the true desire of my heart.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Approved Workmen Are NOT Ashamed!
I am reminded of my years in Awana as I read through 2 Timothy 2. I can hear myself singing that song in the high, squeaky voice I am sure that I had. It was so easy back then to not be ashamed of anything. As I grew up I was confronted with the norm of trying to fit in. I must confess that too often became my norm as well. Ah to have the faith of a child still, to be ashamed of little, and to not be so content to just go through the motions. That is my goal, my prayer, my cry...
I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything?
Instead of going through the motions
(The Motions by Matthew West)
The second half of 2nd Timothy 2 is a great Godly "To Do" list. We are to live unashamed and to properly handle the Word of God (vs 15). Paul continually reminds Timothy to guard what is entrusted to him, to fan it into flame, and to unashamedly entrust and teach what he has learned and heard to others. We must treat the Gospel in the same manner. We must read it, memorize it (Psalm 119:11), and take it to the nations: to the ends of the earth.
Furthermore we are called to avoid quarreling and godless chatter. How different would we look to our world if we did not gossip and lived at peace with everyone as best we could (Romans 12)? This includes foolish arguments as well. I so often find myself in arguments where the outcome is of little or no value. I see this in the church as well. We split over things like musical preferences. We split over things we may not even know the answers to like predestination and the end times. Does God look on favor as His church, His bride, His body is divided? Think of the impact we could have on our world if His body, the church came together as one body under one head the Lord Jesus Christ!
22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
We must flee the evil desires of youth in the same way Joseph fled from Potiphar's wife. He left his cloak and ran. We can't wait around, we must RUN! Our character must have a foundation of righteousness, faith, love, and peace. As we teach we must not be self-righteous, but rather humble, gentle, and gracious. Are we not sinners ourselves? If we take the mindset of Paul when he said in 1 Timothy 1:15 that he was the worst of sinners that Christ came to save, perhaps there will be a different reception to the Gospel. As C.S. Lewis reminds us, grace is the difference between Christianity and other religions. May we be found living as Timothy was instructed; peaceful, unashamed, and studying and teaching the Gospel of Christ properly and with gentleness and grace. What will our legacy be? Righteousness, faith, love, and peace? I pray that it is so in my life.
FIND US FAITHFUL
We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives
CHORUS:
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find
CHORUS:
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
Steve Green
FOR HIS GLORY AND HONOR!
I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything?
Instead of going through the motions
(The Motions by Matthew West)
The second half of 2nd Timothy 2 is a great Godly "To Do" list. We are to live unashamed and to properly handle the Word of God (vs 15). Paul continually reminds Timothy to guard what is entrusted to him, to fan it into flame, and to unashamedly entrust and teach what he has learned and heard to others. We must treat the Gospel in the same manner. We must read it, memorize it (Psalm 119:11), and take it to the nations: to the ends of the earth.
Furthermore we are called to avoid quarreling and godless chatter. How different would we look to our world if we did not gossip and lived at peace with everyone as best we could (Romans 12)? This includes foolish arguments as well. I so often find myself in arguments where the outcome is of little or no value. I see this in the church as well. We split over things like musical preferences. We split over things we may not even know the answers to like predestination and the end times. Does God look on favor as His church, His bride, His body is divided? Think of the impact we could have on our world if His body, the church came together as one body under one head the Lord Jesus Christ!
22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
We must flee the evil desires of youth in the same way Joseph fled from Potiphar's wife. He left his cloak and ran. We can't wait around, we must RUN! Our character must have a foundation of righteousness, faith, love, and peace. As we teach we must not be self-righteous, but rather humble, gentle, and gracious. Are we not sinners ourselves? If we take the mindset of Paul when he said in 1 Timothy 1:15 that he was the worst of sinners that Christ came to save, perhaps there will be a different reception to the Gospel. As C.S. Lewis reminds us, grace is the difference between Christianity and other religions. May we be found living as Timothy was instructed; peaceful, unashamed, and studying and teaching the Gospel of Christ properly and with gentleness and grace. What will our legacy be? Righteousness, faith, love, and peace? I pray that it is so in my life.
FIND US FAITHFUL
We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives
CHORUS:
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find
CHORUS:
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
Steve Green
FOR HIS GLORY AND HONOR!
Soldier, Athlete, and a Farmer? Who am I? Superman?
How can one be a soldier, athlete, and farmer all at once? We are called to live as each of those. We are called to submit to our commander the Lord as a soldier and to not get caught up in the snares life throws our way. How often do I follow the wrong paths and the wrong leaders when I should be following my Lord? We are called to follow the rules to win the prize as an athlete must. How can we properly compete and how can we win if we are not following God's rules in His Word? Even moreso how can we follow the rules if we do not know them? We must become dedicated hearers and doers of the Word so that we can run the course, finish the race, and win the prize. Finally the character of a farmer is desired. No farmer has ever succeeded by sitting around. We must work hard in life and in the fields of His harvest. Our hard work in life sets an example and is our provision. Our hard work for His Kingdom grows in importance as the day approaches when He will return. The harvest is ready!
We must endure all and forsake all for the sake of the Gospel. Paul reminds us that though we are chained the Gospel is never subdued. This is evident in the story of the Philippian jailer and his family. Paul loves to give us "trustworthy sayings." The one he leaves us here in 2nd Timothy is one of great encouragement.
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
(vs 11-13)
What a promise we have as heirs of Christ. If we die and endure with Him, we will live and reign with Him. Perhaps the last verse stands out the most. If we are faithless, He remains faithful. I would be lost without this as my faith often seems like a boat on the seas tossed to and fro. He remains faithful throughout because it is who He is. God's character is faithfulness and he cannot disown that or go against it. How blessed we are!
I was reminded of an old(er) song today that blesses me and gives me hope for tomorrow just as Paul's trustworthy sayings.
God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!
Words: Bill & Gloria Gaither
Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1
We must endure all and forsake all for the sake of the Gospel. Paul reminds us that though we are chained the Gospel is never subdued. This is evident in the story of the Philippian jailer and his family. Paul loves to give us "trustworthy sayings." The one he leaves us here in 2nd Timothy is one of great encouragement.
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
(vs 11-13)
What a promise we have as heirs of Christ. If we die and endure with Him, we will live and reign with Him. Perhaps the last verse stands out the most. If we are faithless, He remains faithful. I would be lost without this as my faith often seems like a boat on the seas tossed to and fro. He remains faithful throughout because it is who He is. God's character is faithfulness and he cannot disown that or go against it. How blessed we are!
I was reminded of an old(er) song today that blesses me and gives me hope for tomorrow just as Paul's trustworthy sayings.
God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!
Words: Bill & Gloria Gaither
Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1
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