The Gift

I remember from many years ago a Christmas door-decorating contest that we held at Worthington Christian. When I came in one morning the young lady who was decorating the door to my room, had covered it with brown paper bags, bits of old cloth, and dried grass. No sparkle. No tinsel. No brightly colored paper. Indeed. That's how He came, was it not? Simply. In poverty. Humbly. Oh, the angels couldn't contain themselves and burst into song in a field, but they were, no doubt, quite a distance from the hay-filled manger where a little child was born, wrapped in cloth, son of a poor laborer and his young wife. And they sang their oratorio to the poorest of the poor--society's outcasts. And, yes, a couple years later, He would receive gifts--the funds necessary to live awhile in Egypt. (I'll bet I know when they ran out of funds.) But He didn't come to receive gifts. He was the Gift. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." May we in this season--and all year round--wrap ourselves in humility, content with what we have. And what do we have? The Gift of the Son--Christ in us, the hope of glory. The riches of His grace.

Untroubled Hearts

"And the peace of God which is beyond human understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Often when the turmoil of the world floods my thoughts, I must return to the promise: "My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in Me."

Beyond my understanding is the truth that in a world of turmoil and pain, He gives a heart filled with incomprehensible peace. And then, by faith, the mind, too, finds rests in His fortress of peace.

"Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Musings

Musings:
We feel as if we are entitled to so many things today except the one thing we are entitled to: Responsibility for our choices--even the ones we don't make.
"Addicted to affluence" Sadly, an apt description of so many of God's children. "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." Famous last words of the church at Laodocia until the "lights" went out in their church. Is there a prophet in Scripture that doesn't warn God's people about the injustice of ignoring the needs of the poor, the widow, the orphan? (That's called a rhetorical question.)
The church is never more beautiful--more Christ-like--than when it surrounds heart-broken saints with the comfort, love, and strength of Christ's compassionate presence. Ah, the power of a quiet hug.
Discipleship. There is no other priority. And it's a calling that is never finished.
The United States is not God's "country." The church is--and it can be found all over the world.
Too often the pursuit of political power and influence leads someone into a spiritual desert.
God chooses the weak and flawed and broken--the "base"--to do His work because otherwise we have the tendency to do our work in our way and call it His. Spiritual pride is a killer.
God has forgiven your past. Who in your past do you refuse to forgive?
God's "well done good and faithful servant" will be awarded to the diligent student committed to integrity--regardless of his or her IQ. And look all you'd like to, you won't find a column for it on a report card.
A heart filled with ingratitude will never be filled with joy. Or contentment, Or love. Or obedience. Or anything--but self.
Be a listener--not a talker.
Jesus made a conscious effort to spend time alone with the Father. Alone. Even though He was surrounded by urgent needs. You need times of renewal and strengthening to be able to respond to needs. As He would have you respond.
Disobedience is a lack of love.

Fret Not

A Reminder:
The wicked never prosper: In God's universe you reap what you sow. All the wicked do in order to gain their "prosperity" will reap a harvest. And every seed sown reaps much "fruit." God is letting the wicked pass judgment on themselves.

All the wicked desire is to them an appetite. Appetites are never , satisfied. If God allows them to gain all that they pursue, they will be the most miserable people on earth.

"He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury: but as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain."

"Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the Lord with reverence, and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, lest He become angry and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!"

As I was reminded today by a friend: "The earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."

How much of the sea is covered by water?

I am thankful that my King--the King of Kings and Lord of Lords--the Almighty is always on His throne.

"Fret not because of evil doers."

The Lord God Omnipotent reigns. Every second. Of every day.

The righteous will live by faith.

Worthy

I am thankful that:

"The Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals . . . And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are Thou to take the book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign on the earth.' . . . Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." 

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne; hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own! Awake my soul and sing of Him who died for thee, and hail Him as Thy matchless king through all eternity

Crown Him the Son of God
Crown Him the Lord of life
Crown Him the Lord of peace
Crown Him the Lord of love!

Choices

I am thankful that the choices that other people make--no matter how much they may impact my circumstances--do not define who I am. The only choices that define who I am are the ones I make.

Choose you this day whom you will serve. As for me, I will serve the Lord.
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Don't lay up for yourself treasures on earth where thieves break in and steal and moth and rust destroys. Lay up for yourself treasures in heaven.
Rejoice in the Lord--always.

What choices are defining who you are?

The Prayer

I am thankful that in the midst of deep struggles I can--with confidence-- pray the prayer . .
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I am thankful that when all seems to be good, everything seems to be falling into place I can--with confidence--pray the prayer . . .

I am thankful that when I have no idea what God is up to I can--with confidence--pray the prayer .
. .
I am thankful that when I have a good idea of what God is up to and I don't like it one bit I can pray--with confidence--the prayer. . .

I am thankful that when God gives me an opportunity to touch someone's life with His love I can--with confidence--pray the prayer . . .

I am thankful when I see no visible evidence that God is using me at all I can--with confidence--pray the prayer . . .

I am thankful that every morning when I wake up and every evening before I go to sleep I can--with confidence--pray the prayer. 
. .

Yes, no matter what, you and I can and should--with confidence--pray the prayer: "Nevertheless, Lord, not my will, but Thine."

Grace

I am thankful that God loves rascals like Jacob--and me.
I am thankful that God loves doubters like Thomas--and me.
I am thankful that God loves those with a "past" like Mary Magdalene--and me.
I am thankful that God loves those who deliberately commit horrendous sins like David--and me.
I am thankful that God loves those who shake their fists in His face like Paul--and me.
I am thankful that God loves the hesitant even when His presence is as undeniable as a burning bush like Moses--and me.
I am thankful that God loves the betrayers like Peter--and me.
I am thankful that God loves the arrogant and prideful like Nebuchadnezzar--and me.
I am thankful that God loves those disenchanted with their calling like the disciples in their fishing boat after the resurrection--and me.

I am thankful that when the angels in Heaven ask Him why He bothers to love someone like me, He says because of the kind intention--the good pleasure of His will, the eternal purpose of His plan, the riches of His grace, and the praise of His glory.

His love--unconditional, eternal, inescapable, transformational, full of loyal lovingkindness, merciful, and patient--makes all the difference.

"Loved with everlasting love, led by grace that love to know."

Fear

If God be for us, who can be against us?

I shall not fear what man can do to me?

And do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?

Absent from the body; present with the Lord.

I am thankful that the worst thing man believes he can do to me--take my life, will instead usher me into the arms of the One who is the Lover of my eternal soul.

But remember to weep with those who weep. He does.

It's Not a Maybe

I am thankful that when God answers your prayer in the one way that you didn't want Him to answer, that time always proves what a loving and wise and caring Savior He is. "All things work together for good" is not a "maybe."

Just One

I am thankful--and you are too, I'm sure--that God only made one of me. No duplicates.

So:
I know that He loves me just the way He made me.
I know that He has a part for me in His plan that I have been designed/created to fulfill.
I know that the gifts and talents He has graciously given me will make my calling--whatever it is; as multifaceted as it is--sacred.
I know that He calls me by name.

Convinced

I am thankful that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

"For I am convinced that . . ."
Nothing that can happen to me in this life can separate me from God's love which is in Christ Jesus. Nothing.
Death cannot separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Satan and all his angels cannot separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
No amount of time--even into the eternal future when time shall be no more--can separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
There is no place I can go in this universe and be separated from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
There is no earthly power--personal, national, international--that can separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Nothing--time, space, powers, created beings, events past, present, and future--nothing. The only love God has is everlasting love. "In a love which cannot cease, I am His and He is mine."

Yes, "More secure is no one ever than the loved ones of the Savior"

Speaking

I am thankful that:

"By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks."

"Through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks."

Think about it. After God has called us home, our life will still be "speaking." Abel's life will speak until the end of time. For though heaven and earth may pass away, God's Word abides forever. My friend Randy's life is still speaking of his love for His Savior. And it will continue to speak through his wife, his sons and daughters, their spouses, his grandchildren. Randy still speaks--perhaps, by God's grace, until the end of time.
In our family an old Presbyterian minister by the name of Seth Means still speaks. He shared the message of the Savior with my mom and my dad--and many others. And Mom and Pop spoke that message into my sisters' lives and into my life and into their grandchildren's lives. Yes, Pastor Means, though dead for years and years, still speaks. Every life that my family has been used by God to speak into--Seth Mean's life still speaks. By God's grace, until the end of time.
To be honest everyone's life will still "speak" after he or she is taken from this temporal world. The question is what will it "say"? After all, Cain's life still speaks, does it not? So, when the Lord takes you home what will your life say? What will my life say?

Lord, may my life echo the "words" of your son Abel: "Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to Him must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."

And could there be a greater reward than to live a life through which God can testify--"though he is dead, he still speaks" of My goodness and My faithfulness and that no matter what the cost, he believed that it was worth it to have followed Me--even unto death.

"And it was."

Thankful

I'm thankful that in the confusion and noise and frustration and "hecticness" and clamor and whirlwinds and earthquakes and . . . whatever comes my way. the Spirit's still small voice can be heard loud and clear.
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 I'm thankful that God doesn't have any age restrictions on "usability." He can use chubby old bald guys. He can use committed teenagers--I know, they're in my classes. He is eager to use all those who simply say, "Here am I. Send me."
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I'm thankful that when I have no idea whatsoever what's going on, my omniscient Savior is sitting on His throne rejoicing in His perfect plan for my life. And it's a plan immersed in His love. His eternal, inescapable love.
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 I am thankful that the One who knows all there is to know about me--my struggles, my failures, my deliberate disobedience, my faithlessness, my doubts, my murmurings, my iniquity, my sinfulness, my pride, my stubbornness, my past . . .everything there is to know about me--loves me with all His heart.
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I am thankful that yesterday and tomorrow are His days. And for this day--which is mine--He promises to supply all my needs--including all the strength necessary to use this day for His glory. That's why every morning when I wake up, I can say with confidence--and a grateful heart--
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"This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it."
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 I am thankful that God in His lovingkindness always gives us what we need, not what we think need.
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 I am thankful that when my human frailties get in the way of my heart's desire to please Him--He looks at my heart.
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 I am thankful that the simplest ways to say, "I love you," are always the most profound.
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 Great performance tonight by the WC band and jazz ensemble! How can anyone not be thankful for music? I can't wait to hear the "recording" of the morning stars singing in joy at God's creation, Moses' singing on the other side of the Red Sea, David playing and singing under the stars to calm the sheep, Jesus and the disciples singing on the way to Gethsemane . . and on and on. The gift of music!! Thank You, Lord!
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 I am thankful for the church the body of Christ. Flawed, sure. But the hands and feet and heart of God in this world. God's comforters. God's encouragers. God's exhorters. As it gazes into His face, it reflects His glory to all around. No one will ever be everything God desires for them to be without spending time gathering together with other members of the body. No one.

Access

The veil was ripped in two. From top to bottom.

I am thankful that the Father has given us access to His throne of grace and mercy through the sacrifice of His Son.

Access for those times of need--those times when I desperately need grace and mercy.

I have lots of those--"times of need."

Daily.

And access is never denied. Never.

Yet

I am thankful that

"For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him."

Helpless. Ungodly. Sinner.

Yet

Much more then-- Justified. Saved.

I am eternally thankful for the "yet" of God's love.

Therefore

This is the time of year when we focus on being thankful. This is where it begins:

"But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, 'Death is swallowed up in victory. O death where is your victory? O death where is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore (this is how you "tell" Him you're thankful), my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."

Yes, thankfulness is a life style. "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus."

How thankful are you for "the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ"?

If someone spent just one day with us--maybe just one hour--I bet they would know.