Now is the Time.... to Give Thanks

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

In Australia, May 28 has been designated National Thanksgiving Day. The idea is to send messages to people who have been a help, encouragement or blessing to you in the past year. It's not a bad idea to be reminded to be thankful to those we may otherwise take for granted and bless them back.

However God's will for us is that we maintain a thankful spirit. there are many, many scriptures which encourage the giving of thanks to God, and after all it is "in Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28); every breath we take is a gift and worthy of our thanks.

People often have a problem with the idea of being thankful for everything and I can understand that. In the past I have been quick to point out that this verse in Thessalonians does say "IN everything" and not FOR everything, but as I searched for this verse I came across Ephesians 5:20 which does indeed say "giving thanks always FOR all things to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ". Mmmmm, I had to reconsider my thoughts and modify my 'theology' because it can be very difficult to give thanks FOR everything; so why would we do it? How do you give thanks for impossible life situations, tough times, trouble, persecution, tragedy and so on?

In Thessalonians it states clearly that thankfulness is God's will for us. His will is always for our benefit. The benefit of thankfulness is that it takes our eyes off our situation and turns them towards God - that's always beneficial for us. When we turn towards God and look into his word we find comfort, strength and hope for a future that will be better. After all doesn't his word tell us that his plans for us are to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11)? His will is to bless us; just the same as we want to bless our children and see them do well in this world. So how does that work?

I don't believe that God sends us trials to make us miserable, but he allows them to come in order to develop our character and to grow us in areas of patience, perseverance and faith; to give us life experiences in which we learn to lean on him and receive comfort from him so that we can be a comfort to others who experience similar trials (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). there is nothing like receiving encouragement from someone who knows what you are going through because they have been there themselves.

To see that God can use trials for our benefit and blessing is to enable us to give thanks in and for everything. When we can do that we are growing in trust and faith and God is pleased with us. Keep trust that the end will come, darkness will turn to dawn, mourning into dancing, weeping to joy. Relief is on its way and thanksgiving will make our burdens lighter as we trust our God.

Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for your promise of a future filled with hope. Thank you for your faithfulness to me which is constant in spite of my weakness. Amen

Now is the time...... To Check for Holes!

Then Moses told them, "Do not keep any [manna] overnight." But, of course, some of them didn't listen and kept some of it until morning. By then it was full of worms and had a terrible smell. Exodus 16:19-20

Last week I made the mistake of picking a small rose from the tub on my front deck because I really wanted a flower on the counter in front of my kitchen sink. I had been watching this little rose for a while and I noticed that some insect had been chewing at it but I thought that it would be okay - I was desperate!

The first mistake I made with this rose was that I hadn’t cared for it properly, that is, I hadn’t been diligent in spraying it to protect it from the insects. The second mistake I made was trying to use it to decorate my kitchen. Why was that you ask? Because as the bud began to open it became apparent that there was a hole right near the centre of my rose (see picture), and a mess began to appear on the counter. You see the little worm was still at work feeding on this beautiful flower and ‘recycling’ the waste. I felt a bit like Jonah when he got angry at a worm eating his shade plant!

So why am I writing about this? Because the thought that came to me is that we often have worms ‘eating at us’ and sometimes we don’t realise the mess we make, which other people then have to suffer or perhaps even clean up. If we are holey and not holy we cause a lot of problems in the body of Christ, or with family, friends and colleagues.

We need to have the courage to examine ourselves and see if there are areas that need cleaning up. There can be holes of hurt from past abuse, (verbal and emotional abuse can be just as damaging as sexual abuse). You may have holes from disappointments suffered in broken relationships or there may be bitterness, anger or unforgiveness from situations that you have either faced in the past or are facing right now. I promise you that if you do have these, they will be eating away at you just as that little (unseen) worm was eating away at my rose. You may think these things are well hidden but I can assure you that our insecurities and ‘issues’ do show up….. sometimes to everyone but us! If you are very brave you could ask a wise and trusted, loving friend to suggest any area of weakness that is obvious to them.

We need to do ourselves, (and those around us), a favour and face the worms and find healing at the cross of Jesus Christ. We can bring our ‘baggage’ and leave it with Jesus; and we need to if we are to live lives that will demonstrate the love, grace and power of God. If we refuse to deal with our stuff then our lives will be like the manna that the Israelites held onto overnight when they were told not to. We will be full of worms and have an unpleasant smell. There, I’m kind to you…. I didn’t say you would stink as the King James version says! Our lives are to be a sweet-smelling aroma of Christ to all we meet. Is yours?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me to honestly face my issues and bring them to you for healing. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Now is the time.... To Be Renewed

…….arrayed in holy garments, your vigour will be renewed each day like the morning dew. Psalm 110:3 (NLT)

There is no better time to be reminded that there is renewal of strength available to us than right now. As I write we are already into the second month of a new year that will bring new challenges.

After the Christmas holidays (which last for a few weeks here in Australia) I am finding it a little difficult to get my mind and body geared up for what is proving to be a busy and challenging first half of this year. Though not so challenging and heartbreaking as thousands of people in our land who are dealing with severe floods in the north and south and fires in the west. Many have lost everything but their lives and our heartfelt prayers go heavenward for them.

What a comfort the word of God is just when we need it; “As your days, so shall your strength be….” (Deuteronomy 33:25); “those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength;” (Isaiah 40:31); “The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;” (Psalm 28:7). There are so many passages of comfort and encouragement for us as believers to grab a hold of and walk in.

The scripture at the top of this devotional grabbed my attention late last year. The full verse reads “In that day of battle, your people will serve you willingly. Arrayed in holy garments, your vigor will be renewed each day like the morning dew.” What a promise to have. There will be battles this year, maybe not severe ones for you personally, but you will know people who face battles; sickness, loss, loneliness, fear and so on. For those times, the word of God gives us clear promises to believe. You will see that there is almost a condition here. It says “arrayed in holy garments…..” . What does that mean for us? I think it means that we put on the garment of salvation and the robe of righteousness that Jesus has given to us (Isaiah 61:10), we put on the garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3) and we put on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:11). If we array ourselves in these garments the promise is that our strength will be renewed each day for whatever we face. Hallelujah!

Not only that we will be in a position to take up the challenge that Jesus gave Peter before he realised that he wasn’t as strong as he thought he was…. “But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:32). We need to realise that we need to walk in His strength, His power, His righteousness, His holiness. We do not rely on ourselves because without Him we are nothing. Then we can strengthen those around us.

Prayer: Jesus, my Saviour and my friend, help me to walk through this year strengthened in the knowledge that I can do nothing without you, but with you I can do all things with you. Amen

Now is the time...... To Believe

You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said. Luke 1:45

As I write it is but one week until a new year will begin; yes it is Christmas Eve and I have been reading again the story of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. This evening I watched the Carols by Candlelight on TV, an annual institution in Melbourne for the past very many years, and a delightful way to spend Christmas Eve………even if I was doing ironing while I watched!

It was in reading the verse above that my heart was stirred afresh by Mary’s simple trust and humble obedience. We have heard and read the story so many times that the full impact can easily pass us by, but as I think again on the story I am challenged afresh to examine my faith and see how real it really is.

Mary was a very young woman who received an amazing visitation from the angel Gabriel which was awesome in itself, but the message Gabriel brought was earth-changing, not to mention life-changing for Mary and Joseph. What an amazing faith-filled couple this was. I guess God knew that when he chose them for ‘the job’. Mary’s immediate response was “Yes, I’ll do it.” She actually believed that God would do what he said, as her cousin Elizabeth reminded her a few days later.

Then there was Joseph. He had a problem on his hands but God spoke to him in a dream (Matthew 1:20) reassuring him that Mary’s child was the promised Saviour of mankind and not to be afraid to go ahead with his marriage to Mary. Just as Mary did, Joseph believed and quickly obeyed the instructions he was given. In fact God spoke to Joseph in dreams a few times and he was always quick to believe and obey.

Many years ago God spoke to me in a dream. It took me a little while to realise that God was indeed speaking into my future, but he did do what was indicated in that dream.

Sometimes I sense that as I grow older in years and in my faith, I am not always as quick to believe God as I was in my earlier years. I am challenged by the fresh faith of some of my Bible study ladies who are mostly new Christians. Tonight I feel that I need to challenge myself afresh to believe God in the coming year. Not only to believe, but to actively expect to hear from him. (I know I don’t always listen well.)

How is it with you? Has God spoken something to you that you need to believe him to do? There is much to be done in his kingdom. We need to become willing to allow him to use us to accomplish his purposes. Let’s commit ourselves to a refreshing of our faith and obedience as we head toward 2011.

Prayer: Gracious Father, forgive me to allowing my faith to wane in the busyness of life. Help my ear to be ready to hear you when you speak and give me a willing heart to obey you quickly. Amen

Now is the time..... To Be Amazed Again

Then Mary said, “……let it be to me according to your word”. Luke 1:38

It can be difficult to keep the wonder of the true meaning of our Christmas celebrations in mind at this busy time of year. We are too busy being amazed at how many gifts we still need to buy, how many things we still have to prepare, how many groceries still to be bought, and, often we are amazed at how much money we have spent! When seen in the light of God’s eternal plan for mankind, our busyness seems so trivial.

It is good then when God breaks through and gives us another revelation of His amazing goodness that we can focus on and be amazed at again. That happened to me a couple of weeks ago during my quiet time. I don’t even remember what I was reading now but suddenly it dawned on me again……….. God is amazing in all His ways! That now brings to mind a verse in Psalm 115:3, “Our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.” What pleases Him involves justice, mercy, favour, righteousness and equality. All that He does is good.

The thought that caught my attention was that God has always had in mind a plan for man and woman to be equal in his equation and in bringing about his purposes on the earth. In Genesis he called Abraham, a man in the closing years of his life, to take a huge step of faith; to leave his homeland and his family, to step out into the unknown, not knowing where he was going, just that God would show him. His job was to say ‘yes’ and to go in obedience, which he did. God then blessed him with offspring (Isaac), through whom the whole world would be blessed. It was from this line that Jesus Christ would come. God called a man – Abraham.

Many generations later God calls a woman - Mary - to be obedient. The angel of the Lord spoke to Mary, a young woman, to be the bearer of His Son, Jesus Christ who was to be the Saviour of the world. She too had to be willing to say ‘yes’ and to be obedient to the humiliation, the pain, all that being the mother of Jesus Christ would involve.

In these two people so many generations apart God showed me that he uses both man and woman to bring forth his purposes, he also uses the young and the old. So often in our world there can be the feeling that it is only those in the middle part of their life, between young and old, that God uses significantly. That is so not true. There is a place for each of us. Let us stir ourselves up to stand ready to be used for God’s purposes every day of our life. These two people didn’t know what was to come from their obedience. Neither do we know what God will do through our obedience. Let’s stand and be amazed again that God will use men and women, young, old and in between to accomplish his purposes on earth and let's be ready. Hallelujah!

Prayer: Wonderful God, thank you that to accomplish your purposes on earth you will use whoever is willing and obedient. Help me to stand ready and available for your purposes today and every day that you give me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now is the time.... To be Generous

They (the elders at Jerusalem) desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do. Galatians 2:10

The phone rang last week and usually when there is a delay before someone answers I know it’s computer-generated with someone either selling something or wanting money for a good cause. Because it’s usually the former I quickly hang up before the operator can come on and ‘bug’ me with “Hello and how are you today?” I don’t know why they ask that because I know that they are not the slightest bit interested in how I am at all, it’s just an opener to a conversation I would rather not have! Oh dear I sound cranky!!!

Anyway this particular day it was an organization which we have supported for the past couple of years wanting our financial support yet again. I confess, to my shame, that I inside my attitude was not good (after all it is coming up Christmas with all its expense) but I did agree to give again this year.

I was convicted about my attitude because I had recently read this verse in Galatians 2:10. Paul was writing about the time he had visited the church leaders in Jerusalem to discuss with them his conversion some years before, and his subsequent ministry. The elders were quite happy with the teaching that Paul was doing which he’d received not from man but from the Holy Spirit (Galatians 1:12). The only thing that the apostles asked was that Paul remember to help the poor.

Jesus said that we will always have the poor among us (Matthew 26:11), and that He was sent to preach the gospel to the poor (Luke 4:18). A generous spirit comes from God who is generous beyond measure. If He dwells in us it will be seen by our desire to bless others when we can. He has shown us how to give by his own examples in His life, and the final gift to surpass all gifts – His life for ours. Our giving should include money but should not be limited to money. A generous spirit will give time, energy, a listening ear or a helping hand.

In a world drowning in debt let us show the world what a blessing it is to give financially and to give with a happy heart this festive season. Remember it is the season of remembrance of God giving His only Son. Let us open our hearts to see what he requires of us. In case you need a little extra encouragement may I leave you with 2 verses in closing. “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given “(Proverbs 19:17) and “He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses.” (Proverbs 28:27). Nothing goes unseen by the Lord, He will reward.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to see the needs around me through your eyes and give with a generous heart. May blessing flow from me freely in thankfulness to you for all that you have given to me. Amen

Now is the time..... To Check Your Legacy

….I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5

This week when we picked up our 2 youngest grandchildren, Dan and Leah from school it was a chance to get involved in their homework. Leah’s task was to join a friend or relative in a leisure activity or pastime. She helped me with a crossword puzzle and did a good job.

Dan’s homework was to think about and discuss the word legacy. His Mum had begun the task earlier and we got to continue. When Granddad asked him the meaning of the word ‘legacy’ he was unsure so was sent off to check it out on the internet! The simple answer is ‘anything handed down from the past’. There followed a discussion in which we talked about the most important legacy parents and grandparents can leave their children and grandchildren; a legacy of faith in Jesus Christ and one of righteousness. Sadly, this is missing from so many families today.

Even when our example to our children has been a good one, it does not automatically guarantee an immediate good result. If not we should not be discouraged. Today I was reading about Manasseh, the son of King Hezekiah. His father had set him a wonderful example (2 Chronicles 29 – 32). He had become king of Judah at age 25 and reigned for 29 years. During that time he destroyed the places of pagan and idol worship and redirected the people back to worship of the one true God. He stood firm in the face of attack from the Assyrian army, and God delivered the people in answer to Hezekiah’s prayer (2 Chron 32:20) and his obedience brought peace to the whole land.

When Hezekiah died, his son Manasseh became king at the age of 12. Instead of following his father’s godly example he restored the places of pagan worship, he practiced divination, consulted spiritists and mediums and even set up a carved image in the temple of God. 2 Chronicles 33:9 tells us that "Manasseh did more evil than the pagan nations before had done." Amazingly discouraging…….BUT GOD….!

If you read chapter 33 you will see that God allowed Manasseh to be captured by the Assyrians and he was led away a prisoner by a ring through his nose and bound in bronze chains. He was brought low so that he would feel enough pain to cry out to God for help, which he did. God was then able to have him released with a new understanding of the love, mercy and power of God. “Manasseh had finally realized that the Lord alone is God”. (2 Chron 33:13). Do read the story!

It is our privilege and our duty to pray for our children and grand-children that they may know the one true God and worship and serve only him so they may know God’s peace and protection always. It may not happen right away but God is faithful to answer these prayers as he did for Hezekiah.

Prayer: Merciful God, help me to set a godly example to my family and to pray for their salvation always. Have mercy on them and lead them into your kingdom of righteousness and peace. Amen