Post-Thanksgiving Reflections

John 1:14, "So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. (NLT)

I trust that you were able to take some time this past weekend and reflect on the "unfailing love and faithfulness of God." The problems, challenges, and the daily stress of life can have a tendency to move us away from our memories regarding the faithfulness of God. It is so easy to become overwhelmed with the attacks of "darkness" that the "light of God" becomes hidden or displaced by the darkness. But the light prevails and we fully understand that we are not alone in our set of circumstances. 

I enjoyed our time of family celebration this year. We began a tradition several years ago that we have tried to carry out each year following our meal time. We ask each family member to share some of the things of which they are thankful. There are times that the words spoken contain some of the common themes; family, God, friends; etc. But there are those times in which the family members make reference to specific events or situations in their lives in which they felt and saw the active participation of God. We heard about some of those on Thursday. Testimonies of healing, protection, and provision were shared by the adults as well as the children that were present. 

I felt led to start this type of interaction so that our grandchildren as well as our children would remember the blessing of talking out loud about the goodness of God. I don't think that we verbalize our praise and thanksgiving enough. I don't think we speak out and speak up enough concerning the daily presence of God in our lives. We do not seem to have a problem speaking about a wide variety of subjects and I believe this statement is applicable to each of us. We are a very opinionated generation of people to say the least. I would like to encourage you not to just share your opinion about the things of life BUT I would encourage you to share your testimony/personal witness about the "unfailing love and faithfulness" of God. The presence of human beings is limited but God is always present in our daily lives.

Let us continue to develop a LIFE OF THANKFULNESS, APPRECIATION, AND RECOGNITION of the goodness and graciousness of God!!

Personal Editorial

Hebrews 12:28, "Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe." (NLT)

I will offer this disclaimer to begin with this morning. You are about to read an opinion that I want to share with you. The early morning news today caught my attention and I just could not ignore the thoughts that arose in my heart. I know that these stories have been shared on television over the past few weeks but they drew my attention today. 

Is it possible that we have lost the true meaning of the "Thanksgiving Celebration" to the latest marketing strategies for our local retailers? I am not against the Free Market Trade that is one of the symbols of the freedom that we enjoy in America. I understand the need for "corporate America" to succeed and I understand the need for individuals to "make a living" to support their family. But can't we expect a "little break" from all of the hub-bub that focuses on money, sales, profits, and Wall Street? 

We are more concerned with the time that the stores will open for us to shop than we are the time that we will spend thanking God. Many homes will face the challenge of asking everyone to be quiet for a few moments so that we can offer thanks to God for our food. And even if we pray we hurry through the process so that we can get on to the "important" things such as food, football, and looking through the advertisements for the "best deal" on the latest new toy or electronic gadget. We have to be up-to-date with everyone else and we can not afford to fall behind in the "gadget race" for sure. 

I assume that some of you will think that I am just complaining when you read these words. But I really don't think that is the true intent of my heart. I believe that we need to stop just giving God a "tip of the hat" (you may have to remember an old western movie to understand that word picture) rather than focusing on His awe and His presence in our lives. 

Take a little extra time tomorrow and remind yourself as well as each other of all the good things that God has provided in your life. A few moments of genuine thanksgiving will make a difference in your personal life and you will be able to teach others about recognizing and remembering the goodness of God. 

Meditation

I recently read a post by a blogger friend of mine who reminded us that some Christians are afraid of the word "meditation" because in many cases it is associated with New Age Religion. I understand those fears may have some factual evidence but it still does not change the call from God to meditate on His Word. It is a blessing as well as a benefit to study, meditate, or think about the Word of God and the impact that it can have on our daily lives. Many of us have found the Bible to be an answer for us as we were facing certain circumstances in our lives or in the life of a family member. I remember sitting in a waiting room of a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee in the early Spring of 1986. My wife's brother was in a coma from a serious car accident in which he had suffered a severe head injury. The Doctors had reached the conclusion that Danny would more than likely remain in that vegetative condition for the reminder of his days on earth. We were waiting for visiting hours when Ann picked up a Gideon Bible and begin to read. The Spirit led her to a passage in Psalm which became her "verse of promise." She read the verse out loud to me and then she made this statement to me; "Michael, I have got to read this verse to Danny as soon as we go into his room." I realized that the Word of God had made a direct impact on her faith and she wanted to release that faith into her brother's life. Needless to say, that verse was read when we entered his room and that verse was read every time that we entered his room. FYI: Danny recovered, went back to his job after a time of recovery and rehab. He has since retired from that job and has moved to Kentucky and attends church with us. 

Meditating on the Word of God does pay great dividends in our lives.

Would you take a moment to meditate on the following promises in Psalm 34?

1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
    I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord;
    let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
    let us exalt his name together.

4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
    He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
    no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
    he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
    he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
    Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! (NLT)

Remembering

I have been meditating on these words of the Psalmist David for the past few days. The Spirit continues to remind me that the Word of God is "alive and powerful." The Word of God not only transforms us but it also challenges us to examine our lives and identify those areas that need improvement or correction. Each of us need to commit to "remembering" those blessings that God has provided for us. I understand that it is humanly impossible to remember everything that God has done for us but neither can we use that as an excuse when we have the opportunity to offer praise to God. Neither can we use forgetfulness as an excuse when it comes to praising God and offering thanksgiving to Him. Let us also read the reminder that the Word of God issues in Psalm 68:19, "Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah  (NKJV)

Psalm 103:1-5

1 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
    and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
    and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
    My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!  (NLT)

Doing What is RIGHT!

James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”  (NKJV).

Our Life Group at church last night had some very interesting discussion concerning Daniel's trip into the den of lions. I will not take the time to go into great detail about all of the discussion but I do feel led to make reference to one point that was brought to our attention by one of the brothers who was in attendance. Daniel had previously made his decision concerning his obedience to God prior to his entrance into the den of lions. His decision had been made when he chose to pray as he had normally prayed even when a law had been passed that made his praying illegal. 

His courage to face the lions had been developed through his courageous decision to do what was right regardless of what everyone else may have chosen to do. The failure to obey the law of the land put him on a collision course with the den of lions but Daniel possessed a strong desire to do what was right. Isn't that one of the character traits that we need in the modern day church? Isn't that one of the character traits that I need in my personal life on a daily basis? Isn't that one of the character traits that we need to demonstrate to our family, friends, and fellow believers? Do you remember the question that Jesus asked in Luke 18:8b, "...Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (NKJV)

I read these words in one of my devotionals this morning. I felt that they confirmed what God was speaking to us about last night.

"When we hear from God and think we are done – that is self-deceit.

When we hear from God and put it into practice – that is godly obedience.

I once attended a leadership conference that changed my life in many ways. The speakers did not talk about money or success. They focused on the fact that God created each one of us in response to His unique plan for our lives. One of the simplest but most powerful motto's I came away from that conference with was: “Do it now!”

I truly believe that God is looking for faithful obedience from His followers! 

Preparation for Thanksgiving

I would like to share this "song" from Psalm 92 with you. I desire to see the Word of God prepare our hearts not just to celebrate a "holiday" called Thanksgiving but to live in an attitude of THANKSGIVING!! Would you join with me in offering this song of gratitude to God?

Psalm 92

A psalm. A song to be sung on the Sabbath Day.

1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
    to sing praises to the Most High.
2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
    your faithfulness in the evening,
3 accompanied by a ten-stringed instrument, a harp,
    and the melody of a lyre.

4 You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!
    I sing for joy because of what you have done.
5 O Lord, what great works you do!
    And how deep are your thoughts.
6 Only a simpleton would not know,
    and only a fool would not understand this:
7 Though the wicked sprout like weeds
    and evildoers flourish,
    they will be destroyed forever.

8 But you, O Lord, will be exalted forever.
9 Your enemies, Lord, will surely perish;
    all evildoers will be scattered.
10 But you have made me as strong as a wild ox.
    You have anointed me with the finest oil.
11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
    my ears have heard the defeat of my wicked opponents.
12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees
    and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
13 For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house.
    They flourish in the courts of our God.
14 Even in old age they will still produce fruit;
    they will remain vital and green.
15 They will declare, “The Lord is just!
    He is my rock!
    There is no evil in him!”  (NLT)

Attitude

"Attitude is little thing that makes a big difference." (Winston Churchill)

These words were included in one of the daily devotionals that I read today. I was struck by the challenge that they offered to me and I believe that this same challenge will make its way into your thought process. 

The Spirit has been dealing with my heart over the past several weeks concerning the need for "praise" to be a vital part of my everyday relationship with Christ. Is it possible that we have relegated "praise" to a time slot on Sunday morning when we sit with our church family in a corporate worship service? We may deny that statement as being true when we first read it but we do have to realize that our "attitude" in many cases may determine the amount of praise that we offer to God. It may have been John Maxwell who coined the phrase, "Live your life with an attitude of gratitude." 

Let's be honest with ourselves for a moment and admit that we all have days when our attitude is running low on gratitude. The daily challenges of life have a way of "draining away" portions of our gratitude. Your mail contains the arrival of an unexpected bill. One of the kids is sick and they need to see a Doctor which more than likely will require medicine to treat the illness. You have a flat tire or a dead battery. Your company will not be issuing any pay raises for the coming year and they are eliminating any type of Christmas bonus. The preacher's sermon was boring and you almost feel asleep during the invitation. I could continue but I better stop now and pull the hose away before I drain you dry of any attitude of gratitude that you may still possess. 

It is during those times that we all struggle to remember the good things of life. We fail to remember the miles that we have driven on that tire without any blowouts. We fail to remember the number of times that the battery started our automobile. We fail to remember that we do have a job that is paying the bills and allowing us to live a comfortable life in comparison to a large portion of the world. We fail to remember that the preacher normally does an awesome job sharing the Word of God and even preachers have "off days." We fail to remember the health of our child and realize that hospitals contain children who fight a deadly disease on a daily basis. 

Psalm 107:8, "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" (KJV)