Gifts I am Thankful For

....in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

This is the time of year when gifts come into focus in a big way.  Sadly for many the real Gift is overlooked, unknown or just plain ignored.  Jesus is the greatest Gift in all the world.  He is the Gift that encompasses so many other gifts, not the least of which are peace with God, unconditional love and joy.  I thank God for this priceless Gift.

Some gifts don't come in fancy wrapping and they don't cost us money, they are, nevertheless, very real and precious gifts.  As I look back on this year there have been highlights and lowlights, and that is normal.  We were never promised a life without challenge.  Just to live in this world and in our broken down society with broken people is challenging for sure. Add to that relationship challenges, disappointments, health issues, financial pressures, loss of dear ones and everything in between and we have LIFE.  That's just how it is.  I find that having faith in a God who is inately good and loving, One who wants the best for my life, is such a great anchor and I thank Him for the gift of faith that gives me assurance of His goodness and love.

This week I decided to think through the things that I am thankful for this year and I came up with a list which I want to share with you.  I'm sure I will think of many more things once I hit the 'publish' button but my aim is mainly to spur you to thankfulness.  We are to 'consider one another in order to stir up love and good works'  (Hebrews 10:24), and giving thanks, having a thankful heart or an attitude of gratitude is, I believe, a good work that pleases God and does us great good.  So here it is!

Gifts I am thankful for in 2012
The gift of Jesus, my Saviour, on whom I need to lean constantly

The gift of His righteousness, my own is sadly lacking

The gift of my husband, friend, lover, travelling companion and constant supporter, what a gift!

The gift of family, they bring us great pleasure and joy, we love them
The gift of good health, money can't buy it
The gift of friends and neighbours, old and new, they are precious
The gift of fellowship, church family, Bible study, CWCI friends and others worldwide, I love it
The gift of communication at lightning speed to stay connected, I need it
The gift of ministry opportunities in various places, a privilege indeed
The gift of travel to many places through the year and safety in it all, I'm blessed
The gift of provision of all we need, He is faithful
The gift of trials, they teach me, stretch me, grow me. I need them to mature.
The gift of answered prayer, it confirms my faith.
The gift of unanswered prayer, it teaches me patience and perseverance, and tests my faith.
The gift of hope.....for all that 2013 has in store for me - He will be with me no matter what comes.

Prayer:Heavenly Father, I give you thanks and celebrate your goodness and faithfulness this year.  Help me to maintain an attitude of gratitude always because I know that it pleases your heart.  Amen

The Long Haul

And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God's word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest. Luke 8:15

On our outback trip earlier this year we drove some long days, but they were not nearly as long as some of the road trains (extra long trucks) that passed us. The roads out there were flat and often boring, especially when the road stretched for mile after mile with trees either side blocking what may have been an interesting vista beyond.

As we travelled nearer the coast we crossed the Great Dividing Range. Our vehicle slowed with the load of the caravan we pulled and we needed patience.  However, we needed much more patience during the times we followed slower drivers when there was nowhere to overtake.  Have you noticed that the Christian life can be much like this?

Growth takes time, in fact we need to remember that when we 'sign up' for the Christian life, we have signed up for the long haul.  Sometimes we feel boxed in on a boring road and sometimes we can become impatient with what we consider to be our slow progress.  It's very easy to become discouraged and despondant when we 'lose it' and feel like we'll never 'get there'.  Sometimes we get impatient with others who do not meet our expectations.  Those are the times we need to remember that we often disappoint God too.  Not one of us has it altogether.  We are all a work in progress.  (I don't know how many times I have said or written this.  I feel like a cracked record.... or should I say a sticky CD!)

Learning to lighten up and laugh at our failures will help us keep humble before the Lord.  I learned a long time ago that it is pride rising up when I beat up on myself.  Humility is not being surprised when I fail, but getting up again and settling in for the long haul.That's how we patiently produce a huge harvest.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord that you are never surprised and you never give up on me when I fail.
Help me to have a heart that's set for the long haul with you, the author and finisher of my faith. Amen

Understanding

For as yet they did not know the scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. John 20:9

This picture of the Canadian woods highlights something to me that is interesting reagarding our understanding of spiritual things.  The Apostle Paul wrote, "For now we see through a glass darkly, but then, face to face." (1 Corinthians 13:12).  Just as there is light and shadow in this picture, our understanding in life is like that.

Most of the disciples had walked with Jesus for 3 years.  Some had had more intimate interraction with him that others.  John, who wrote the verse above, was one of the inner circle.  He would have heard most, if not all of Jesus' teaching.  The disciples must have been miserable and confused on that first "Easter" morning.  Their Saviour - dead. They didn't understand that he was a Saviour for the whole world, past, present and future, not just their world of Israel at that time; and in order to accomplish that he was to be a sacrifice through death and then would rise again. Finding the tomb empty added to their confusion.

I found it interesting that John should write "For as yet they did not know the scripture, that He must rise again from the dead", because it is recorded in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, that Jesus had told them plainly that he would suffer at the hands of men, be scourged killed and then on the third day, he would rise again. John, however, says that they did not know the scripture.  He refers to Psalm 16:10 which alludes to Jesus rising from death when it says, "You will not leave my soul in (hell), nor will you allow your Holy One to see corruption." 

Sometimes when we are told scriptural truths or we read the word and yet we still don't understand.  It is like our understanding is darkened for a time.  But when the sun shines through the trees, as it were, and the Holy Spirit gives us understanding, it is the most wonderful thing.  Suddenly things make sense.

I am sure that you, like me, sometimes feel like your Bible reading has just gone right over your head, or in one ear and out the other.  You get up and forget what you read 2 minutes before.  If we can go just a little bit further and spend time really thinking about something that caught our attention, we will allow the Holy Spirit time to give us light on what we are reading.  It doesn't have to be a whole chapter, or even a number of verses, just one verse will do.  You will be surprised what will stay with you as you journey through your day.  I know that far too often I hurry away from my morning time the Lord and into my day without first really digesting my spiritual food.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I run from my quiet time with you and into my day without allowing you to speak to my heart and give me understanding of what I have read.  Please help me to linger with you to receive understanding of your word and so enrich my own life and be equipped to enrich others on the way.  Amen

Fame

 

 

And they said to themselves "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves....... Genesis 11:4

It seems that one of the main desires of many young people today is to be famous.  It is probably easier to do these days with opportunities abounding in music and media circles.  It's possible to become 'famous' almost overnight by posting yourself on Youtube doing something that attracts attention even if, or especially if, it's downright stupid or dangerous.

I find that I have mixed feelings when someone comes onto the world stage and steps into fame.  The ones I'm thinking of at this moment are singing sensations like Susan Boyle or our own Australian winner of The Voice, Karise Eden.  I am thrilled for their success and frightened for their future. Why frightened?  Because I know there will be pressures that will now surround them in a world that has changed almost overnight. It's like they no longer have control over their lives and destiny, it is in the hands of another, and who knows what is the purpose of their new master.

Why do people want fame?  I can think of a number of reasons; power, prosperity, prestige would be a few.  I believe that the two singers I have mentioned probably wanted none of these things, but I prefer to think that they wanted to prove to themselves and to others the value of the gift that had been given them.  Their fame was the result of courage and a lot of hard work, plus taking the risk of failing. I'm glad they did well.

After the great flood recorded in Genesis, the descendants of Noah and his family combined forces to make a name for themselves.  They wanted fame.  Because they were united in their cause and all spoke one language God looked down from heaven and saw that anything was possible for them to achieve.  For his own reasons and purpose he chose to confuse their language and scatter them far and wide.

Abraham, on the other hand, was minding his own business, worshipping God in a pagan nation when God chose him for fame (Genesis 12).  The price was to leave his homeland and all his relatives and travel to a land that God would show him. He had no idea of his destination, he had to go out in faith. God's purpose in this was to make him a blessing to all the families of the earth.  Through the line of Abraham, who had no family then, or for many years to come, was to come the Saviour, Jesus Christ.  It was much later the promise of a son came, but then another 25 years to fulfilment of that promise.  The name of Abraham is famous to this day, for his fatherhood and his faithfulness.

The people building the tower of Babel wanted to created their own fame and were foiled by God.  It is far safer to commit our future to God and allow him to do with us what He has purposed for our life. Our purpose should be to live for "the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 1:11-12).  To desire to bring Him fame will keep us grounded. He is a Master whose love for us is beyond understanding and His desire is always to do us good. To serve the One before whom, one day, every knee shall bow, (Philippians 2:10) will be to glory in His fame, and that will be more than enough.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus Christ, help me to desire your approval above all else and to stay grounded in seeking always your purpose for my life.  Amen

Refreshing

.......so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19

Recently we have had some much needed rain, albeit it came on a weekend we were away in the caravan for a fly-in. However, Paul and Dan and friends did managed to fly into the valley through the patchy showers and happily, the second day was fine.  This morning when Colin opened the blinds on a beautiful morning he commented that it was so nice to see the garden looking fresh and green instead of tired and dry. So it is.

It caused me to think about the times we run on empty in the busyness of life.  Too often I am guilty of this.  The tasks on my agenda cry out to me and I plunge into the day with a quick prayer and Bible reading which sadly, too often, is soon forgotten.

If we want real refreshing we have to be willing to change our method and give ourselves time in God's presence just soaking up his love, getting our tank filled.  We will need to do as Peter told his listeners "Repent and be converted" in other words, change the way we do things. Repent of our sin of rushing into our day without drawing near to Him who loves us unconditionally, the One who has our best interests always on His mind.  He wants to restore our soul, refresh and revitalise us so that we go out with joy in the confidence that we are loved, encouraged, strengthened and empowered for whatever the day may bring.  It doesn't have to be a long time but it must be quality time where we allow our heart to touch His heart.  He is like a lover waiting for his beloved to come into his arms.

Will you take time today in His presence, coming boldly to His throne of grace to find mercy and refreshing? Just let Him love on you, and love Him right back.  It will be worth it!  You will then go into your day all fuelled up and ready for the journey and the challenges that may come.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Lover of my soul, please help me to give myself the gift of time in your presence at the start of each day so that refreshing may come to me. Amen

Finding Freedom

I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD!" So the Israelites camped there as they were told. Exodus 14:4

For some people (that would be me!), walking across a wobbly suspension bridge can be very unnerving.  I have only been on one a fraction of this length and that was enough.  Sometimes in life we find ourselves in 'wobbly' circumstances and some of them are orchestrated by God for the purpose of bringing us to a higher level of trust in Him, and to display His glory, goodness and faithfulness to us His people. Such times are generally uncomfortable and often we find ourselves floundering and faithless.  The Israelites are a good example of this.

Moses had delivered them from their captivity in Egypt; from a miserable life of bondage which had caused them to cry out to God for deliverance.  Now they were delivered but not completely.  They were in the wilderness camped beside the Red Sea - trapped really.  No way forward and the road behind led back into bondage.  They were in God's hands well and truly, and to be fair to them, sometimes that seems to be a very scary place.  But God had a plan for them and it was all good.  Their reaction though was to accuse, murmur and complain against their deliverer and want to turn and run back to the 'safe' place, the place that they were familiar with even though it was a place of misery and bondage. 

If we are to move into more freedom in our lives, we will have to go through times that stretch us and times that feel very uncomfortable for awhile.  We will have to change the old and familiar places in our hearts and minds, even in our behaviour, for the new places that feel strange and make us feel insecure for a time.  The wilderness is a time of transition from one place to another; this is our adjustment time, a time of testing through which we must pass to find a greater level of freedom and faith.  A time when, after we have passed through to the other side, we will have seen God's glory and maybe others will have seen it too.  Miracles don't happen unless we are in a place where we need one. 

If you find yourself in such a place right now will you look at it as a transition place from 'one degree of glory to another', a time for His purposes? This is not your final resting place! Remember that God allows us to come into difficult places, not to abandon us, but to show himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are loyal to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9).  Will you acknowledge that He loves you and has a purpose for you (Jeremiah 29:11)?  Don't choose to run back to the old familiar place, choose to come out into greater freedom and faith than you've know before. It's scary but it's safe if you keep your eyes on Jesus.

Prayer:  Lord  Jesus, my Great Deliverer, I choose today to trust you in my uncomfortable place, knowing that you have allowed me to be here and that you will bring me out into a broad place in due time.  Thank you for your great love for me and your promises which are true and faithful.  Amen

Second Chance

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV

In cleaning house the other day I was in the process of changing attachments on the vacuum cleaner when behind me there was a crash.  Looking down I saw my favourite ornament, the dancing couple, lying in four pieces at my feet. It was broken in the leg area and both heads had departed their bodies.  To say I was sad would be an understatement. I picked up the pieces and looked at the breaks.  They seemed clean and there were no small pieces on the floor so I put them to one side in the hope that my clever husband would be able to mend it.  He did, as you can see from this picture.

To me this ornament symbolises the joy of marriage; yes, it can be quite a 'dance' sometimes, full of tricky and challenging steps. Sometimes we 'lose our heads' for awhile and at times some marriages literally fall apart.  For every married couple the challenge is to stay in step which, like dancing, is often easier said than done.

The main challenge of marriage is learning to live in harmony with another person who may have had a very different background, even a different culture from your own.  Added to that we bring our different personalities and our own values and ideas of how a marriage should work.  Then there are the challenges that children bring into a relationship. All these things can cause problems that can lead, sometimes slowly, other times like a bomb blast, to breaking point.

Sometimes things fall apart and even get very broken in the process but, with God in the equation it is possible to put things back together again.  It does take care and a willingness to work it all out.  One needs to look back to find where the weak areas were that may have caused the marriage to break so as not to fall into the same traps again.

With the right 'glue' of hope, love, forgiveness, humility and prayer a marriage can move from brokenness to wholeness again.  The weak places can become the strongest.  Joseph's words come to mind as I write, "What you (the enemy) meant for evil, God meant for good." (Genesis 50:20). It may be that God will use your experience to later help others in their own brokenness move from hopelessness to healing. He is so good at taking the things that seem like disasters and turning them to good use.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you that you can cause all things to work together for good.  Help me to keep my eyes on you in my most difficult situations and allow you to use them for good purposes; to bring hope and healing to others and glory to You.  Amen