Why Should We Be Thankful?

God the Father 01 (Photo credit: Waiting For The Word)

Give thanks to the God of heaven,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 136:26

English Standard Version (ESV)

         There are many reasons that we should be thankful for what we have while we are in this life.   Thankfulness is directly mentioned or alluded to many times in the Bible.  It's a predominant theme in fact.  

         My prayers to God are filled with praise and thanks.  I'm starting to feel better about asking God for things that I think I want.  His guidance is the most desired request.  What he gives me after that point is what I understand He wants me to have.  I am thankful for whatever he bestows upon me.  Blessings abound in my life.

         There is no thing or experience that this world has to offer me that is as important as what God is in my life.  If I have nothing in this world, I have everything in God.

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,  for our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 12:28-29

English Standard Version (ESV)

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The Time for Giving on our Minds

Homeless beggar on a building window ledge (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,
    I will now arise,” says the Lord;
    “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”

Psalm 12:5

English Standard Version (ESV)

        The time of the giving season is upon us.   Soon many will be sitting down to feasts with family and friends as they give thanks for all with which they are blessed.  Holiday sales will create shopping frenzies as some prepare for the gift giving that Christmas brings.  

        Other tables may be sparsely set if there are tables at all.  The poor, the homeless, and those beset by war and disaster might be merely hoping for a few scraps--forget the feast.   So many are struggling in the world and those numbers seem to be on the increase.  We hear the pleas for help, but some of us are hoping we are not heading in that same direction one day.  We pray for them as well as ourselves.

        The Lord God will arise in His time to give shelter to those who are lacking and feed those who are hungry.   In the meantime the duty falls to those of us who can do something.  Remember next time you encounter that scruffy man or woman with outstretched hand, that could be our neighbor, our brother, or our child.  It could even one day be you.

         Our mission should be to feed the hungry when their bellies are empty and not pass judgement on why they are hungry.   The beggar you see could be anybody.  Your blessing upon them will be a blessing upon you.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Hebrews 13:2

English Standard Version (ESV)

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Waiting Again for an Answer

Christians praying in Goma, DR of Congo. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Psalm 5:3

King James Version (KJV)

         I want something badly.  This thing that I want has been in my prayers a lot lately.  When I wake up in the morning and before I go to sleep at night I pray for this one thing among the many other things for which I pray.  I hope God is not getting upset with me for bugging Him about this one thing so much.

         We are told throughout the Bible to pray for our heart's desires. But our prayers must be within the will of God.  We can't just pray for any old thing and expect to get it.  Not all things are good for us to have and sometimes the time is not right for our prayer to be answered.   

          Maybe I won't always get what I want, but I'll get what I need.  God will bless me with the things He wants me to have.  That's more important than what I want.  All prayers are answered according to God's will.

           Next time you think that God hasn't heard your prayer, just remember that "No" is an answer.   God knows better than you what's best.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

New International Version (NIV)

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Inner Turmoil Can Make Us Better

 - Road Closed sign riddled with bullets -
 (Photo credit: Rev. Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos (ClintJCL))

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Psalm 13:2

New International Version (NIV)

       How often do you wish life would be easier?  Sure, it sounds nice to never have a problem in the world.  If we could just rest easy knowing that we would never have any financial worries, that everyone would always think we were wonderful, and that sickness would never befall us.  It's a wonderful dream, but it is only a dream.  It's not gonna happen.

         Even the richest, the most powerful, and the most beautiful people have those times when their confidence falters.   Many of the greatest have eventually fallen.  After all we are all only human.   And blessings are relative.  We may envy the talents or possessions of another, but we may also not see what turmoil dwells within those who appear to be abundantly blessed.

         The truth is that we are each blessed in our own way and even our hardships may be viewed as blessings.    Real strength comes through surviving the ordeals that we encounter in our lives.  It is we ourselves who turn ant hills into mountains and stones in the road into insurmountable obstacles.  If we struggle with demons that we ourselves have created then we must conquer them or how can we expect to conquer the real demons of this world?

          We should not let sin, self-defeating thoughts, or internal conflict beat us into submission.  That's what Satan wants us to do.  We don't have to surrender to weakness or feelings of powerlessness.  We have an advocate in our Almighty Creator.  He wants us to succeed.  Troubles that we face may be unpleasant, but getting past them will make us bigger, stronger, and better in every way.

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5:3-4

New King James Version (NKJV)

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If You Are Depressed

A depressed man sitting on a bench (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27:14

New International Version (NIV)

       There seem to be many depressed people these days.  No small wonder when we consider the condition of the disintegrating family unit and the alienation felt by many people in our society.   Job loss, fear,  loneliness, and financial pressures are just a few of the situations that burden many and lead them to become depressed.

        Depressed people may turn to psychiatry, support groups, self-help programs, or New Age philosophies to help lift them out of the slumps they have fallen into.  They may look for the quick fix solutions to be found in drugs--prescription or otherwise.  Many try to lift themselves out of the depths with sex, partying, fast thrills, spendthrift shopping, exotic adventures, or a myriad of entertainment offerings.  These attempts to heal the depressed state may help for the short-term, but soon the depressed state returns.  Depression is deep within and is not eradicated until it is attacked at the very root of the matter.

        God doesn't mean for us to be depressed.  Depression is an unnatural state that is not a product of goodness.  Sin can lead to depression.  A lack of faith can steal away our joy.  Look to the source of life--the One who created us.  Be patient.  Pray.  Meditate.  Depression will be gone if you let God take it from you.  Accept the joy because that's what God wants for you.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

New International Version (NIV)

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When You Are Fearful

Grand Canyon Thunder River Trail looking down at Upper Tapeats Creek (Photo credit: Al_HikesAZ)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

King James Version (KJV)

     

        There are many things in today's world that can make us afraid.    If nature is not out to get us, then the evil in the hearts of men surely will hurt us or even kill us. Bad guys lurk in the shadows of the streets in the towns where we live while bad world leaders and armies gather in far off lands to destroy the nation where we live. If the criminally minded enemy in our own neighborhood doesn't harm us the larger powers will eventually do us in.

        So what should I fear most in this world? The government is supposed to take care of me aren't they? So why are they spying on all of us and coming up with those things that can take away our freedoms and enslave us under their evil rule? I am apprehensive about things to come, but also excited in many ways.

       We live in a wondrous time in respect to both the amazing accomplishments of humankind and the promise of things to come as prophesied in the Bible thousands of years ago. We should not be surprised about things that have happened already and the events yet to come. Nor should we be afraid as the pieces of God's great plan come together.

      Many people are afraid of that which is unknown. And many will be afraid as prophecies unfold. Then others know the comfort in God's love for us and know the end of the story that is in the telling.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

King James Version (KJV)

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When Your Pockets Are Empty

Bible (Photo credit: Light from Light)

The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care,
    and their inheritance will endure forever.
19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
    in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

Psalm 37:18-19

New International Version (NIV)

        We are in challenging times when many of us are feeling the burden of financial pressure.  The jobless numbers reported by the government are probably not even close to the reality of how many are out of work.   Many are living day by day and scraping together all available resources to get their bills payed.  More than a few have defaulted on their accounts and may be even one step closer to homelessness.

      A good number of the people in these positions probably have not given themselves over to a faith in Jesus Christ and doubt the power of God.   And some of these may be good Christians who truly believe in what God is capable of doing.   One big difference between these two sets of people is that those who have put their trust in God understand something about actual wealth--the riches that go beyond the earthly standards of measurement. 

       We can't rely solely on our jobs, our wealth, or the promise of being taken care of when we can no longer work.   People and governments can and will fail.    Prosperity as society typically sees it is a tenuous circumstance that can be taken from us at any second.

         Even if believers have to suffer and die along with the unbelievers, we have a joy within that will see us into eternity.   There's a good chance that God is going to see that our physical needs are taken care of in this life, but keep in mind that kept in perspective of the bigger picture this life is a blink of an eye. 

        A full belly and bank account is reassuring, but a soul full of joy and the Lord's assurance is the one thing the true believer in Christ can count on.  Think back on the metaphors Jesus often used about bread.  Food is not always something we eat with our mouths to fill our stomachs.  

 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

Acts 14:17

New International Version (NIV)

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