Category Archives: Thanks & Praise

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August 20, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Joy, Peace of God, Thanks & Praise, Today: Make it Count

MAKE THE MOST OF IT

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After looking at the way things are on this earth, here’s what I’ve decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that’s about it. That’s the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given and delighting in the work. It’s God’s gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It’s useless to brood over how long we might live. [Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (MSG)]

Lord, where did the years go? It seems like it was just last month that I complained about the fingerprints on the windows and mud on the floor; now I can go weeks without washing the windows or mopping the entry. I protested to my children about the noise and now our house is silent. I was just complaining img109webabout my teen-agers and now they’re adults with teens and pre-teens of their own! It feels like just yesterday that we were grousing about work and now we’re complaining about how busy we are in retirement.

Lord, thank you for this day. Don’t let us waste a single moment of it in complaint. While some seasons of life may be more challenging than others, show us how to appreciate each and every one of them.

It’s only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth – and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up – that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had. [Elizabeth Kübler Ross]

Oh, how sweet the light of day, And how wonderful to live in the sunshine! Even if you live a long time, don’t take a single day for granted. Take delight in each light-filled hour, remembering that there will also be many dark days And that most of what comes your way is smoke. [Ecclesiastes 11:7-8 (MSG)]

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July 20, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Bible Stories, Money & Wealth, Obedience, Temptation & Sin, Thanks & Praise

IDOLS

You shall have no other gods before me. [Exodus 20:3 (RSV)]

You shall make for yourselves no idols and erect no graven image or pillar, and you shall not set up a figured stone in your land, to bow down to them; for I am the Lord your God. [Leviticus 26:1 (RSV)]

6-18-15IMG_1012webWhile Moses was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments from God, the Israelites grew restless and impatient with his long absence. Faith in both God and Moses flew out the window (or tents, in this case) and the people convinced Aaron they needed an idol who could lead them in their journey to the Promised Land. Gold earrings were gathered, melted down, and molded into the shape of a calf. As soon as the Israelites saw the image, they proclaimed it to be the God that led them out of Egypt. It was easier to believe in a piece of gold they could see than a real god they couldn’t. As usually happens with disobedience and idolatry, immorality soon followed. In spite of the many miracles God had already performed that allowed them to leave Egyptian captivity, the Israelites chose their golden calf over the true giver of gifts.

Like the Israelites, we often forget our blessings and the one responsible for those blessings. While we may not deify a golden calf, in spite of God’s command, we often worship other gods. Many of us tend to be more concerned about wealth, appearances, or fame than we are about God; that’s worshipping an idol. When we care more about obtaining or maintaining our possessions than we care about God, that’s worshipping an idol. When we give more attention to ourselves and our interests than we do to God, we are worshipping idols. When our standard of living is more important than our standard of giving, we are worshipping idols. These may not be graven images and we may not be worshipping them at an altar, nonetheless, they are idols. The Lord God is the only one to whom we should bow down and the only one to whom we should look up to with adoration.

When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind will carry them off, a breath will take them away. But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain. [Isaiah 57:13 (RSV)]

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in awe above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols; but the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. [1 Chronicles 16:25-27 (RSV)]

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July 13, 2015

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Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, Family, Friends & Fellowship, God's Grace & Love, Holy Spirit, Miracles, Prayer, Thanks & Praise

ANSWERED PRAYERS

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And in the same way—by our faith—the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don’t even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words. [Romans 8:26 (TLB)]

Thank you, God, for answered prayers.

While it was obvious the relationship was in deep trouble, I knew neither how nor why it had happened nor what could to be done to remedy it. Realizing that this situation required divine intervention, I took it to God in prayer. As I poured out my distress, I was unable to articulate the problem or think of a solution. I just knew something was damaged that desperately needed to be fixed—how I didn’t know. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit put my lament into words as I dumped the frayed relationship in God’s lap, trusting Him to do the necessary mending. Recognizing that the situation was way beyond my job description, I stopped trying to repair what was torn or attempting to patch up what was tattered; that was clearly a task for God. While offering my wordless prayers and waiting patiently for His heavenly hand, I continued to love the person and did my best to keep the situation from further unraveling—the rest was up to Him. Praise the Lord, God came through! I don’t know how He did it, but He did!

Did the other person have a change of heart and attitude? Yes, indeed. What about me? Although I wasn’t aware of it, I think God may have made a few alterations on me, as well. All I know for certain is that prayers, even inarticulate wordless ones, can and do get answered.

We’re often perplexed about how and for what we should pray. It’s not always possible to voice our fears, sorrow, distress and longings. Thank you, God, for giving us the Holy Spirit who knows our hearts and makes our needs known to you. And, thank you, God, for answered prayers.

The best prayers have often more groans than words. [John Bunyan]

Prayer is not eloquence, but earnestness; not the definition of helplessness, but the feeling of it; not figures of speech, but earnestness of soul. [Hannah More]

But you, dear friends, must build up your lives ever more strongly upon the foundation of our holy faith, learning to pray in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit. [Jude 1:20 (TLB)]

 

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July 9, 2015

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Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love, Salvation: A New You, Thanks & Praise

HOW VALUABLE ARE YOU?

What’s the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one. And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries. [Luke 12:6-7 (MSG)]

bee eater Arusha-TanzaniaWEBRecently, our Florida pastor held up a brand new $100 bill and asked who would like to have it. Hands were quickly raised. He then crumpled up the bill and asked the question again; hands were raised a second time. After all, what are a few wrinkles? Pastor then sneezed and wiped his nose with the money and asked the question yet again; no one seemed deterred by a few germs and, once more, up went the hands. He wiped the worn and slightly damp bill in his armpits and asked the same question yet another time. Our congregation didn’t get to their retirement years in Florida without knowing the value of a $100 bill, even a wrinkled germy dirty one, and our hands continued to be lifted in the air. Fortunately, Pastor did not stick the bill down his pants and ask the question again. His point had been made; money retains its value no matter how dilapidated and soiled it may be.

That afternoon, I did a little Internet research to determine my monetary value. Some estimates of the assorted chemical components of my body were as low as $1. Positive I had to be worth substantially more than a dollar, I searched until I found a site that claimed the chemicals in a 176 pound person are worth about $160. I was still disappointed, especially since I weigh considerably less than that. Nevertheless, I do have some gold and silver in my mouth along with a few titanium screws in various bones, so I could be worth more when adding the value of my scrap metal. On the plus side, if one were to sell my various body organs and tissue (heart, blood, lungs, bone marrow, kidneys, corneas, etc.), this same site said I could be worth as much as $45 million. Now, that’s more like it! On second thought, that’s probably assuming all of those body parts are in pristine condition, something definitely not true of my well-worn “mature” body. My organs have been damaged by age, environment, misuse and disease. In short, my past has probably devalued my worth considerably.

To God, we are worth far more than even 45 million dollars! It doesn’t matter to Him if our bodies are in less than pristine shape or even if we still have all of our original parts. Better yet, He doesn’t care about the damage our past history has done to our souls! We don’t have to be pure and unblemished to have value to Him because we are his beloved children. Abortion, addiction, anger, violence, maliciousness, drunkenness, insincerity, depression, dishonesty, attempted suicide, divorce, adultery, wastefulness, pride, and more—none of these have devalued us in the eyes of God. Like the $100 bill our pastor showed us, we retain our value no matter how sullied, stained, damaged, or tattered we may be. We don’t have to be perfect (or even in “good” or “fair” condition) to be loved by our perfect God.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for seeing our worth even when can’t see it ourselves. Thank you for your grace and mercy, for redeeming our damaged souls and loving us no matter what has happened in the past. Thank you for giving us a new beginning in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Christ died for men precisely because men are not worth dying for; to make them worth it. [C.S. Lewis]

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. [John 3:16-17 (MSG)]

 

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June 6, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Joy, Peace of God, Thanks & Praise, Today: Make it Count

AWESOME DEFENSE

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I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. [Daniel 9:4 (NLT)]

Today I did something healthy and never had to leave the comfort of my La-Z-Boy chair! No, not chair aerobics or isometrics—I spent time in Bible study, worship and prayer. As usual, after spending quiet time with God, I had an incredible sense of awe. According to the University of California, Berkeley, that sense of awe can lower my levels of cytokines, some sort of “pro-inflammatory” proteins that raise my risk of depression, heart disease, type-2 diabetes, arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases. Apparently, other research has found that feelings of awe can also enhance creative thinking, keep me from feeling pressured and rushed, and “inspire profound personal transformation” (which I think is pyschospeak for improve my attitude.) It seems clear that a sense of awe leads to positive emotions and positive emotions go hand-in hand with good physical and mental health.

The cytokine study mentioned losing oneself in magnificent music, beholding amazing vistas, enjoying artistic masterpieces, or meditation as awe-inspiring activities. But, we don’t have to listen to Handel’s “Messiah,” visit the Grand Canyon, go to an art museum, or practice TM or yoga for a sense of awe. Worshiping God is just about the most awe-inspiring activity there is! For added health benefits, whenever you participate in any of the other suggested activities, be sure to remember they are only possible because of our awesome God and say a prayer of praise and thanksgiving!

God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God! [Psalm 68:35 9NLT)]

Who is like you among the gods, O Lord— glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders? [Exodus 15:11 (NLT)]

The highest angelic powers stand in awe of God. He is far more awesome than all who surround his throne. O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O Lord? [Psalm 89:7-8a (NLT)]

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June 4, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Faith & Hope, God's Grace & Love, God's Plan, Nature, Prayer, Thanks & Praise

DIFFERENT ANSWERS

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But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands. [Psalm 31:14-15a (NLT)]

We’d gone out to the bird sanctuary expecting to see dozens of beautiful birds enjoying the easy pickings in the remaining lake. The winter was dry and the summer rains have not begun so the last of the swamp’s lakes is disappearing, making it like catching fish in a barrel for the wading birds. Imagine our surprise when, instead of a shallow lake covered with water lettuce, we found only mud and, in place of herons, storks and egrets, we encountered dozens of black vultures enjoying the remains of the stinking fish in the muck. It certainly wasn’t what we expected and not really what we wanted, but it was amazing nonetheless and we were thankful.

We don’t always get what we expect, as a story making the rounds of the Internet aptly illustrates. A distraught mother, anxious to get back to her sick child with medicine just purchased at the pharmacy, discovered she’d locked her keys in the car. Seeing a coat hanger on the ground, she picked it up, straightened it and struggled to figure out how to jimmy the door. “Please God,” she prayed, “Send a policeman to help.” A rough looking man strolled by and asked if he could assist. Within moments of her explanation, he’d deftly unlocked the car. She hugged the man, thanked him for being so good to her, and told him he was God’s answer to her prayers. “I’m not good; I just got out of prison for car theft,” the ashamed man replied. “Praise God,” the woman responded, “He even sent me a professional!” God answers prayers, just not always in the way we expect Him to. Sometimes, however, His answer is even better than we imagined!

While writing this devotion, I thought of Emily Perl Kingsley’s essay “Welcome to Holland” which beautifully describes the experience of raising a child with a disability. I remembered a woman from our church who, like Kingsley, had planned on Italy and ended up in Holland; her son is mentally challenged. At an age when most young men are going to college or getting jobs, he still believes in Santa and Mickey Mouse. At a time when his parents expected to have an empty nest, he is incapable of flying away on his own. Does his mother complain? Not at all; she speaks of how blessed she is to have such a beautiful son so full of love and wonder—a son who has brought her great joy. God answered her prayers for a child but in an unexpected and different way. Her journey, while unlike than that of her friends, has still been a good one.

I’ve never arrived in Holland after purchasing a ticket for Italy; nevertheless, like everyone else, I’ve had prayers that were answered in unlooked-for ways. Occasionally, we get vultures instead of egrets, car thieves instead of cops, or a disabled child instead of an honor student. Sometimes we get what we’ve asked for and sometimes we are given something entirely different. It’s not necessarily bad; it’s just totally unexpected. We just need to accept God’s provision, trust in His love and wisdom, and thank Him for our many blessings.

Sometimes God doesn’t give you what you want not because you don’t deserve it but because you deserve better [Anonymous Internet wisdom]

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. [Romans 15:13 (NLT)]