Honoring God with Thanks

  November 30, 2018    From: Our Daily Bread

Read: Psalm 50:8–15 | Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 37–39; 2 Peter 2

Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. Psalm 50:15

The doctor wasn’t frowning, despite talking to my husband about his recent cancer diagnosis. Smiling, she offered a suggestion: start each day by giving thanks. “For at least three things,” the doctor said.  Dan agreed, knowing that gratitude opens our hearts to find encouragement in God’s goodness. Thus, Dan starts each day with words of praise. Thank You, God, for a good night’s sleep. For my clean bed. For sunshine. For breakfast on the table. For a smile on my lips.

Each word is heartfelt. But could it sound trivial? Does our praise in life’s small details matter to Almighty God? In Psalm 50, David’s chief musician, Asaph, offers a clear answer. God has “no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens” (v. 9). Instead of these once-formal Israelite sacrifices of gratitude, God wants His people to give Him our hearts and lives in gratitude (vv. 14, 23).

As my husband experienced, whole-hearted gratitude helps our spirits flourish. Then when we call on the Lord “in the day of trouble,” He will “deliver” us (v. 15).  Does this mean Dan will be healed, spiritually and physically, during his two-year treatment? Or not until after this lifetime? We don’t know. But for now, Dan delights in showing God he’s grateful for His love, and for who God is: Redeemer. Healer. Friend. And friends delight to hear these beautiful words: Thank You.My gratitude to God is great to Him.

Lord of the Moment

  November 29, 2018  

Read: 2 Kings 8:1–6 | Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 35–36; 2 Peter 1

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9

Not long ago I was working on a construction project at my son’s home three hours away. The job took days longer than expected, and each morning I prayed we would finish by sunset. But every evening there was more to be done.

I wondered why. Could there be a reason for the delay? An answer came the next morning. I was picking up a tool when my phone rang and a stranger’s voice spoke urgently: “Your daughter was injured in an accident. You need to come immediately.”

She lived near my son, so it took just fourteen minutes to reach her. If I had been home, I would have been three hours away. I followed the ambulance to the hospital and comforted her before surgery. As I sat holding her hand I realized if my project hadn’t been delayed, I wouldn’t have been there.

Our moments belong to God. This was the experience of a woman whose son God had resurrected through the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 4:18–37). She left the country because of famine and returned years later to beg the king for her land. At precisely that moment the king was conversing with the prophet’s servant Gehazi. “Just as Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had restored” her son, the woman walked in (8:5). Her request was granted.

We don’t know what even the next second brings, but God is graciously able to use any situation for good. May God give us grace to walk with Him expectantly into His appointments for us today.

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of my life. Help me to be Your faithful servant.

Our lives are better off in God’s hands than in our own.

It Depends on Him

From: Our Daily Journey

  Nov 28, 2018  

Read:

1 Kings 19:1-18
I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. . . . I am the only one left (1 Kings 19:14).

Pastor and teacher Tommy Nelson experienced clinical depression related to a nonstop schedule. Reflecting on that time in his life, he said, “I didn’t know that you could get totally, completely burned out doing what you loved.” Despite the fulfillment his multiple ministries brought him, a lack of rest led him to become incapacitated. Over time, however, his situation improved as God renewed him through means such as counseling, encouragement, and relaxation.

Perhaps Elijah experienced a similar kind of burnout after an intense string of ministry events led him to a cave on Mt. Sinai. There, God listened patiently as the prophet explained, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the [Israelites] have . . . torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too” (1 Kings 19:10).

Elijah was overwhelmed, isolated, and feeling the emotional pressure of a belief many of us share: It all depends on me. In reality, it all depends on God. God helped Elijah understand this by shifting the prophet’s responsibilities to others. Elijah would begin training Elisha to take his place, and God encouraged him by revealing there were still 7,000 faithful followers of Him in Israel (1 Kings 19:16-18).

The idea that God’s work in a certain area depends primarily on us can add unnecessary pressure to our lives. Although He can provide His amazing strength to meet specific demands, God knows that people have limits (Isaiah 40:7). Rest isn’t an obstacle to fulfilling our responsibilities; rather, it’s the God-approved means by which we can continue to press on in our mission for Him.

The Consecration of Spiritual Power

By Oswald Chambers

…by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. —Galatians 6:14

If I dwell on the Cross of Christ, I do not simply become inwardly devout and solely interested in my own holiness— I become strongly focused on Jesus Christ’s interests. Our Lord was not a recluse nor a fanatical holy man practicing self-denial. He did not physically cut Himself off from society, but He was inwardly disconnected all the time. He was not aloof, but He lived in another world. In fact, He was so much in the common everyday world that the religious people of His day accused Him of being a glutton and a drunkard. Yet our Lord never allowed anything to interfere with His consecration of spiritual power.

It is not genuine consecration to think that we can refuse to be used of God now in order to store up our spiritual power for later use. That is a hopeless mistake. The Spirit of God has set a great many people free from their sin, yet they are experiencing no fullness in their lives— no true sense of freedom. The kind of religious life we see around the world today is entirely different from the vigorous holiness of the life of Jesus Christ. “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15). We are to be in the world but not of it— to be separated internally, not externally (see John 17:16).

We must never allow anything to interfere with the consecration of our spiritual power. Consecration (being dedicated to God’s service) is our part; sanctification (being set apart from sin and being made holy) is God’s part. We must make a deliberate determination to be interested only in what God is interested. The way to make that determination, when faced with a perplexing problem, is to ask yourself, “Is this the kind of thing in which Jesus Christ is interested, or is it something in which the spirit that is diametrically opposed to Jesus is interested?”

God Is Here

  November 26, 2018  

Read: Hosea 6:1–6 | Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 27–29; 1 Peter 3

Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. Hosea 6:3

From: Our Daily Bread

A plaque in our home states “Bidden or not bidden, God is present.” A modern version might read, “Acknowledged or unacknowledged, God is here.”

Hosea, an Old Testament prophet who lived in the late eighth century bc (755–715), wrote similar words to the Hebrew nation. He encouraged the Israelites to “press on” (Hosea 6:3) to acknowledge God because they had forgotten Him (4:1). As the people forgot God’s presence, they began to turn away from Him (v. 12) and before long there was no room for God in their thoughts (see Psalm 10:4).

Hosea’s simple but profound insight to acknowledge God reminds us He’s near and at work in our lives, in both the joys and struggles.

To acknowledge God might mean that when we get a promotion at work, we recognize God gave us insight to finish our work on time and within budget. If our housing application is rejected, acknowledging God helps to sustain us as we trust Him to work in the situation for our good.

If we don’t make it into the college of our choice, we can acknowledge God is with us and take comfort in His presence even in our disappointment. As we enjoy dinner, to acknowledge God may be to remind ourselves of God’s provision of the ingredients and a kitchen to prepare the meal.

When we acknowledge God, we remember His presence in both the successes and sorrows, whether big or small, of our lives.

Lord Jesus, please forgive me for the times I am prone to forget You. Help me to acknowledge Your presence in my life.

God is always present and at work.

Designed with Hope

From: Our Daily Joiurney

  Nov 25, 2018  

Read:

Romans 8:19-39
All creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are (Romans 8:19).

With its majestic magnolias, blooming dogwoods, and graceful azaleas dotting the landscape, my hometown is a gardener’s dream in the spring. But the beautiful view comes with its fair share of misery. Residents know that spring has arrived when a fine coating of yellow dust rests on vehicles, buildings, and sidewalks. As pine trees release their murky clouds of pollen, itchy eyes, scratchy throats, and swollen sinuses soon follow. ’Tis the season for sneezing!

With each passing season, we understand that the world still groans under the brokenness of sin and death (Romans 8:19-22). Even the beauty of spring’s new life exposes our human weakness. And yet, God’s story of redemption continues to unfold before us in a multitude of ways within the natural world. Nature, with both its traceable, intricate design and its untold mysteries, displays the glory of an infinite Creator. And it’s “through everything God made, [we] can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature” (Romans 1:20).

The glory of the gospel rests in this truth: what was once decimated by sin has been redeemed by love (Romans 8:23). Like creation, our lives aren’t random. We’ve been designed with great purpose, and our stability rests in the truth that “nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God” (Romans 8:39). Rather than losing ourselves in disappointment whenever life’s circumstances don’t meet our expectations (Romans 8:35-36), we can find comfort in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s place our hope confidently in the reality that God is actively working in and through us—and is making all things new (Romans 8:23-24,34,37).

Patience, Prayer, and Love

  Nov 24, 2018  

Read:

Luke 15:11-32
And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming (Luke 15:20).

Elizabeth Stone wrote that having a child is “to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” Indeed. My biggest fear is that my children might walk away from God.

Perhaps Solomon shared the same concern. He began Proverbs with seven chapters addressed to his children. Every chapter opens with a variation of “My child, never forget the things I have taught you” (Proverbs 3:1). He later wrote, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it” (Proverbs 22:6). Yet he likely realized there are no guarantees.

Jesus understood and told a story that offers hope for anguished parents. The parable of the prodigal son reminds us that we can’t control a child’s heart. The son essentially told his father, “Drop dead. I want my inheritance now” (see Luke 15:12). If it could happen to this dad, it can happen to us. We can’t make our child love us or Jesus. But we can choose:

Patience. The father didn’t step in and rescue his son but gave him room to make his own choices, despite the possibility of negative consequences (Luke 15:13-19).

Prayer. “And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming” (Luke 15:20). The father never stopped hoping his son would return. We can’t change our child’s heart, but we know Someone who can. As Bishop Ambrose encouraged the mother of a wayward son named Augustine, “It is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish.”

Love. The father immediately forgave his son. He “ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). The father in this story is God. He loves prodigals like us, and He cares for our children even more than we do. Let’s rest in that reality.

A Mother’s Love

  November 23, 2018  

Read: Psalm 91:1–6 | Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 20–21; James 5

He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91:15

From: Our Daily Bread

When Sue’s parents divorced when she was young, the legal tussle over her custody and other matters resulted in her being sent to a children’s home for a while. Bullied by bigger kids, she felt lonely and abandoned. Her mother visited only once a month, and she hardly saw her father. It was only years later, however, that her mother told her that while the home’s rules prevented her from visiting more often, she had stood at the fence every single day, hoping to catch a glimpse of her daughter. “Sometimes,” she said, “I would just watch you playing in the garden, just to check if you were okay.”

When Sue shared this story, it gave me a glimpse of God’s love. Sometimes we may feel abandoned and alone in our struggles. How comforting it is to know that God is in fact watching over us all the time! (Psalm 33:18). Even though we can’t see Him, He is there. Like a loving parent, His eyes and His heart are constantly on us wherever we go. Yet, unlike Sue’s mom, He can act on our behalf at any time.

Psalm 91 describes God delivering, protecting, and lifting up His children. He is more than a refuge and a shelter. As we navigate the dark valleys of life, we can take comfort in the knowledge that the all-powerful Lord is watching over us and is active in our lives. “I will answer [you],” He declares. “I will be with [you] in trouble, I will deliver [you]” (v. 15).

Lord, thank You for the assurance that we’re always under Your watchful care.

Our heavenly Father is ever near.

Give Thanks

By: Martha Noebel, Author

The farmers always stopped and looked at the bountiful harvest at the end of the long summer and gave thanks to God for helping them. We too need to stop and give thanks to God for all He has given us. We are blessed. Everything we want may not be in our houses, but we need to be thankful.

David said in the Bible:

“I will thank you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2 (NLT)

God loves to hear us. He takes great pleasure in receiving our thanks and our love. He cares so deeply about everything that affects our lives. Talk to Him. Tell Him whatever is on your heart. He understands and wants to meet your needs.

“… your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:32-34 (NLT)

One day, my daughter asked me to clean a special outfit for her to wear to school the next day. I took the time and made sure it was ready for her. As is sometimes the way with busy teens, she did not say thank you.

When I mentioned it to her, she seemed surprised. She felt it was my job as her mother to have her clothes ready. I was really hurt. I was expecting a thank you.

I believe God feels the same way when we don’t stop and show a grateful heart for all He does for us each day. He wants us to be thankful. We should not look at Him and expect that it’s His job to bless us without a thank you in return.

Just like my daughter who needed a reminder to appreciate the things she has, the family she is blessed with, and to be thankful for the loving heavenly Father who watches over her, we too need to be reminded.

How great is the Father’s love for us. How awesome are His deeds. Let us rejoice and be thankful to Him and bless His name. Give thanks to God for He is good and His mercy is everlasting. Great is the love of our God. Let’s give thanks.

“It is Finished!”

By Oswald Chambers

November 21 

I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. —John 17:4

The death of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment in history of the very mind and intent of God. There is no place for seeing Jesus Christ as a martyr. His death was not something that happened to Him— something that might have been prevented. His death was the very reason He came.

Never build your case for forgiveness on the idea that God is our Father and He will forgive us because He loves us. That contradicts the revealed truth of God in Jesus Christ. It makes the Cross unnecessary, and the redemption “much ado about nothing.” God forgives sin only because of the death of Christ. God could forgive people in no other way than by the death of His Son, and Jesus is exalted as Savior because of His death. “We see Jesus…for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor…” (Hebrews 2:9). The greatest note of triumph ever sounded in the ears of a startled universe was that sounded on the Cross of Christ— “It is finished!” (John 19:30). That is the final word in the redemption of humankind.

Anything that lessens or completely obliterates the holiness of God, through a false view of His love, contradicts the truth of God as revealed by Jesus Christ. Never allow yourself to believe that Jesus Christ stands with us, and against God, out of pity and compassion, or that He became a curse for us out of sympathy for us. Jesus Christ became a curse for us by divine decree. Our part in realizing the tremendous meaning of His curse is the conviction of sin. Conviction is given to us as a gift of shame and repentance; it is the great mercy of God. Jesus Christ hates the sin in people, and Calvary is the measure of His hatred.

God Sees You

  Nov 20, 2018  

Read:

From: Our Daily Journey

Genesis 16:1-14
Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13).

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” That is perhaps Shakespeare’s most famous quote from his tragic play Romeo and Juliet. Saying that it doesn’t matter that Romeo is from her rival’s house of Montague, Juliet implies that names don’t really matter. All that matters is what something is, not what it’s named. This may be so for a Shakespearean lyrical tale, but Bible names are significant and convey specific lessons and meanings to the events accompanying the naming of the individual.

In Genesis 16, two names are significant for they tell us more about who God is. In naming Hagar’s son “Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’),” God revealed Himself as the God who hears our prayers (Genesis 16:11). In grateful response, Hagar called God El-roi, “the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13) or “the Living One who sees me” (Genesis 16:14). We pray to the all-hearing, all-seeing, ever-present, all-powerful God!

Our God is El-roi (Psalm 33:13-15; Proverbs 15:3), who “watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth” (Psalm 11:4), “and he is the one to whom we are accountable” (Hebrews 4:13). But we don’t need to fear that God sees us. Instead we can take joy in the reality that “the eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

We can rest in God’s amazing presence, for He knows everything (Psalm 139:1-4), is always with us (Psalm 139:5-12), and has limitless power (Psalm 139:13-19). “O Lord, you . . . know everything about me (Psalm 139:1). “I can never get away from your presence!” (Psalm 139:7). Remember that God sees you, loves you, and will always be there for you. He knows you by name.