GIVE THANKS

...in everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in

Christ Jesus concerning you.

I Thessalonians 5:18

This week, I received the most beautiful card from Carol, a dear friend. It looked to be the designer type of card and on the front along with some beautiful touches, were the words that caught my attention: GIVE THANKS FOR ALL THINGS. It's a card I already adapted for use in my Bible as a bigger-than-usual bookmark.

Tis the season of thanksgiving and gratitude. We usually decide at this holiday time that we won't just confine our gratitude during this one season. Sometimes, that thought and hope gets lost somewhere in the rest of the year.

The hard part sometimes is giving thanks in ALL things. ALL THINGS may refer to those happy times that are ours, but ALL THINGS means just that... ALL. I've found perhaps later that it's in those negative times I learn the most about my Heavenly Father and His expectations. It's in those things when I think I learn the most. They are a real part of that ALL.

I also noticed that the above verse is only the latter part of a bigger sentence. The beginning of the verse tells us that we are to rejoice always and pray without ceasing. There's just comma's after those phrases. The period comes at the end of the above part of the verse.

Notice those three words...always, ceasing, and everything. It all works together to create in us a consistent spirit of giving thanks. It won't be just in November we are to rejoice, pray and give thanks. It's supposed to be our lives, every day we live and breathe.

Have a wonderful time this week of gratitude but also that all of us would do the same the other 51 weeks of the year. Blessings, my friends.

Somehow, Father, our thanksgiving for all You mean to us seems rather watered down because we just can't fully express it. Everything we have has come from You, even Your precious Son Jesus. Thank You for Him and for Your sweet Holy Spirit Who guides and teaches us. In everything You are so faithful. May we be found faithful but only for your honor and glory. We love you. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

PRECIOUS HANDS

Fear not, for I am with you; Be

not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, yes, I will

help you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Recently, I was looking carefully at my hands recalling what I remember of them from time past. Now they are wrinkled, some fingers swollen or twisted from arthritis. No matter the time, past or present, I don't know what I would do without them. I can't imagine how folks manage who have lost use of their hands through accident or physical conditions.

It's interesting when a baby comes into the world, it's usually with a shrill cry, legs kicking and tight-fisted hands boxing the air. You can force your finger into those those two little fists but it can be difficult. There is an unbelievable strength there. In fact, if you can get your index fingers worked into those little fists, with little effort, you can raise that baby in an almost standing position without it falling. If you try this, another adult should be near with open hands. I've done this several times in various settings and it was the same every time.

The hands I'm most grateful for are the precious hands of God. There are several verses in Scripture that speak of the strong functioning of God's hands on our behalf that are worth looking up. I've always loved the fact that God holds me in the palm of His hand. I don't know how He does it for us all, but He can manage it. Pity the thought that we might allow our hands to be fisted, resisting the precious guiding of God's hands in our lives.

With gratitude, on our part, one of the greatest ways to show that gratitude for all His special care for us .is to more often fold our hands in prayer.

Father, You provide the greatest tender, care for us as You lead us with your hand as a loving parent would. Better yet, You keep us close to Yourself in the palm of Your hand. Help us to relax more in those facts as we face a culture in turmoil. You are our only true security and we thank You. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

 

 

IMPORTANCE OF NAMES

...that at the name of Jesus every knee

should bow, of those in heaven, and

of those on earth, and of those

under the earth.

Philippians 2:10

Names are of such importance to us. They don't just identify people, but names bring to recall things to be remembered or to be forgotten. There are names we all could call out that would immediately register with us in some way. They might be names of foods, products, criminals, pastors, vacation spots, car names, known tragedies, etc. We mostly think of the names of family members and friends.

I often wondered when going through my school years, why my parents named me what they did. My first name has caused more problems for me especially in those beginning years. People who didn't know me or my family pronounced my name in every which way you can imagine and at times, it was embarrassing.

There is a name we don't speak as often as we should and that name is JESUS. It's a name quickly recognized and a name with meaning like no other. Unlike most names, His name encourages, blesses, comforts, is full of love and calls to mind our Savior. Some people in time past have tried to erase that name from our attention but it will never happen. JESUS is the name above all names past, present and on into eternity.

Father, there is such comfort and assurance when we speak the powerful name of Jesus. Thank You for His precious presence in our lives, knowing His name holds power beyond any other name. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

A BLESSED NATION

Blessed is the nation whose

God is the Lord., and the

people He hath chosen for

his own inheritance.

Psalm 33:12

There are a lot of concerns for our nation these days. We're looking at a major election to be held this week. I've heard some folks speak with great concern, fear, questions and WORRY in all caps. There is room for concern because our nation isn't what it was for some of us who lived through the “happy days.”

We've come far away from those times. Drastic changes as in a nation don't just happen overnight. They happen gradually so we can get used to what seems like little negative things that at the time don't mean much. Satan loves to work that way and as it has happened, we now look in our nation's mirror wondering how we got to where we are.

Who ever thought our children would be caught up in an educational mire that teaches Satan's ways above anything academic. Somewhere along the line, there weren't folks to ask questions. The events we see on newscasts these days are mind blowing as we see school shootings, demonstrations on school/university campuses and behaviors that often seem beyond evil. The problem is that those young ones grow up to be leaders in schools, politics, legal areas and every other place in our society. The evil they learned, they are now passing along to today's youth.

We know in the end times that things are going to get worse and worse. Meantime, we Christians can't just fold our hands and wave white flags of surrender. We still have the responsibility to be people of prayer and yes, people with a voice. Christians often feel it ungodly to express concerns to ungodly leaders. It can be done when bathed with Scripture and prayer.

Let's be praying in these days like never before for our country. There are so many who need Jesus in their lives. He's really the only One who can make a difference in lives but we can do our part in living out the Gospel and leading godly lives that are pleasing to Jesus. We are told in these days to really be praying. It's unfortunate that we haven't been consistently praying for our nation through months and years, but it's never too late.

Father, I pray for ways to make things right in our country and that fellow Christians will stand for what is right like never before. Give us the wisdom and courage to take our stands, to be the best Christian citizens we know how to be. Bless our elections and keep them clean and legal. Help us to do our part in working to make our nation a Godly place. In Jesus' precious name....Amen 

SELAH

I will abide in Your tabernacle

forever; I will trust in the

shelter of Your wings. SELAH

Psalm 61:4

Recently in a ladies Bible study session, we ladies got into a discussion I hadn't anticipated. We are doing a study in the book of Psalms and on that occasion, we were delving into one particular Psalm. I read the Psalm aloud for the ladies to follow with some discussion following. In the Psalm I was reading was the word SELAH at the end of a couple of verses. Suddenly we were dissecting what we knew about that particular word.

The word SELAH is found in the Bible 74 times with 71 of those being in the book of Psalms. There are two views of the word itself most Bible scholars tend to accept. It isn't surprising that the word is thought of as a musical term. It's thought to be a word of some musical direction as Psalms are sung. On the other hand, many see SELAH as a term that encourages one to pause, rest or reflect on the Scripture SELAH appears at the end of a particular passage. We often do one or more of those three things when enjoying music that blesses us, as well as meditating on Scripture read.

Thus, may I encourage us to do something we probably don't do very much. We may at times read large passages of Scripture, finish the reading, close the Bible, rise and then get back to whatever we need to get done. So many times, we wouldn't be able to tell someone ten minutes later what we had read in our Bibles. I wonder how much more meaningful our Bible reading would be if we observed some SELAH time after finished reading. When I remember to do that, my reading is more meaningful and then I have been blessed beyond measure. Food we eat keeps us strong and alive. Spiritual digesting of Scripture can do the same, resulting in unbelievable growth.

Thank You Father, for Your Word. It has brought us to spiritual life in the beginning and continues to encourage our faith and our love for You. Holy Spirit, keep teaching us and thank You Jesus for all You mean to us. Thank You for being my Selah. In Your precious name...Amen 

REMEMBER WHEN

And I said,”This is my anguish;

But I will remember the years

of the right hand of the Most High.”

I will remember the works of the

LORD; surely I will remember

Your wonders of old.

I will also meditate on all Your

work, and talk of Your deeds.

Psalm 77:10-12

It's been said that the older we get, the more we lose memories of wonderful events that have occurred during our growing up and maturing years. I don't remember many things but there are those seared in my brain I'll never forget in this life. We all have our memories. In our humanity, we tend to recall very clearly the negative things that happened to us in the past, but there is so much more to remember. If nothing else, we have the goodness of God that has been ours for years.

In the verses above, I couldn't help but notice the “I will remembers” listed by the Psalmist. His intent was to remember...God's right hand in his life, the works and wonders of the Lord, all of God's works in his life. Remembering isn't future thinking...it's looking back for whatever reasons. In this Psalmists case, he wanted so very much to remember the works and blessings from God. When down in the dumps, I remember instances in my life when God stepped in through miraculous ways. Those things encourage us along the way. The Holy Spirit if great in reminding us of precious moments long forgotten.

I love remembering the day I was saved at the age of 10 on a sunny Sunday morning. I was baptized the following Sunday evening. I still remember things I learned and loved about summer church camp. I remember the names of school teachers and teachers in my church. Attending a Christian college was such a blessing and later meeting Brian, my future husband.

In between all those things are numerous events of note. When days are filled with concerns, remembering those precious spiritual times can be so healing and a blessing. They remind us of how very far our Father has brought us despite storms life may bring in the present. There are so many other things I have on my memory list as you probably do that bring smiles because such precious memories are precious indeed.

Thank You Father for all Your goodness in my life that has left me with a multitude of sweet memories. There are some days those memories have warmed my heart and encouraged me to keep going. Thank You, Jesus, for being so generous with Your love and grace in my life. In Your precious name...Amen

 

SURE SMELLS GOOD

And walk in love, as Christ also

loved us and given Himself for us,

an offering and a sacrifice o God

for a sweet-smelling aroma

Ephesians 5:2

Laying in bed last night recalling from years and more years back the pleasant smells I used to enjoy. Life was much simpler back then and the simple things had meaning. Fall was always special. Who can forget the smell after a spring rain. On Mondays, I had to go out and take down the newly washed sheets that had been pinned to the clothes lines earlier in the day. The smell inside a new car will always be special. Can't forget that smell for anything.

Even today, while those memorable scents us recall of wonderful times, are often ones that aren't so memorable. I never got any kind of boost in smelling a dirty diaper fresh off one of my babies. Burning the bacon on occasions is not only offensive but seems to last in one's house for a very long time. Being behind a car that is gushing exhaust fumes is offensive and often dangerous. Of course, there is the notorious skunk and little needs to be said about avoiding that cute animal.

Smells all have their individual scents that are either a blessing or curse. Rarely is there one in between. There is one scent that cannot be duplicated or damaged in any way and that is the sweet aroma of Christ. One can be around another person who seems soaked with perfume and folks who hug her come away smelling like her. The same can be for us when we stay close to Jesus. There is a sweet aroma all about Him. Won't it be wonderful if we can bear that sweet aroma of Him because of Who He is and our closeness to Him.

Father, thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son through whom we have life, love and a wonderful relationship. Keep us close through Your sweet Holy Spirit that because of our relationship with You, folks may see You in us. In Jesus precious name...Amen

 

 

WORD ON A HEAP

The grass withers,

the flower fades,

But the word of our God

stands forever.

Isaiah 40:8

Many of us live within a relatively short distance from all of the flooding and devastation we have had since the arrival of a hurricane up this way and have been keeping a close eye out on the situation. Where I live, there was heavy rain with minimal wind but our neighbors to our east didn't fare so well.

It's been a privilege to be prayer partners with hundreds of victims in this situation as well as getting survival supplies into those hard-hit areas. Somehow, it just doesn't seem to be enough. I'm sure it's of great encouragement, however, to so many who have lost everything....everything. Clothes can be replaced as well as dishes, bedding, furniture and appliances, but what of those things that have been gathered through a lifetime that in essence is a keepsake of one's life...pictures, baby books, wedding pictures, jewelry, grade cards, Christmas ornaments and on and on the list could go.

I saw one picture that just about did me in within the last few days. It's a picture of a close-up flood setting that seemed to be washed up branches and weeds. There on top of that dirty mess was an open Bible. It looked like it had really been through the flood with it's rips and dirt. There it was, open in what seemed to be sunlight of the moment. Two TN Tec students had found it. The home near the Bible had been leveled, but there was...that open Bible.

Can't say what thought process was when I saw it. For me in those circumstances, I don't know what I would do without my Bible. My Bible is such a friend and don't know what I'd do without it. I've looked at it a little differently since seeing that picture of that lonely, tattered, dirty one laying in the aftermath of a flood. We know God's Word lives on and ministers in the worst of times. For me, reading and loving it just doesn't seem to be enough right now.

Thank You Father for Your Word that is always available to us. I pray for that dear person who has lost their Bible that perhaps can be reunited with it despite it's condition. If not, that another copy would reach that person soon. Help us to appreciate Your Word, not just for reading but for living in us in both the good times and in the floods of life. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

LOTS OF WATER

…For He himself has said,

“I will never leave you

nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

It isn't unusual here where I live to hear of weather events that are at a distance from where I live. Oklahoma is often known for tornadoes as well as other states in that part of our country. I've heard about hurricanes in Florida and the Gulf coast for years, but must say I've not paid that much attention to them...UNTIL...I had one of my own children with family move to that state. Then hurricanes became of real interest. Still, they were there and I was here in Eastern Tennessee.

Well, over the last week, some things have changed. I kept track of the hurricane warnings in Florida and watched weather reports on TV of the where and whens of the storm. I'm always amazed that such events are named, this one being Helene. Still, I prayed for my family and the people who would be affected by it all. Little did I know that Helene would find a way to visit Eastern Tennessee with a vengeance.

Like many folks, I've watched the pictures, heeded warnings that might affect me and felt it would all pass like most bad storms. Today has been a different story. I've watched films on TV until I'm about cross-eyed. My heart is heavy as I've seen small communities wiped out, farms with animals destroyed, major highways wiped out, people sitting on roofs, many stranded in the mountains with no roads out for now, hospital patients and staff on the roof of their hospital, waters rushing with great force to anywhere. The heartache, loss and desperation are too much to take in.

However, God knows everything about this event. He has all the answers for each person affected and has promised His presence in all of the havoc. The rest of us are called on to pray, pray hard and pray much for those dear folks that they will still find their hope in their God who has more love to pour into their lives with more power than any hurricane.

Dear Father, I pray for my fellow Tennessee friends and others in North Carolina, who are suffering right now more than I can imagine. I pray they will sense Your presence despite all the heartache. I know You will provide all they need. Draw them close to Yourself...warm their bodies and spirits as well. Thank You for being the loving Father You are and thank You for Jesus....and in His name....Amen 

 

                                    HOW DELIGHTFUL

Delight yourself also in the LORD,

and He shall give you the

desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

Life was so good. We had two beautiful little girls and expecting our third child. The only problem was that we were in a two bedroom apartment. We really needed to purchase a house, but wanted a newly built one. Those went for the horrible price of at least $32,000. Back then, goodly down payments were required and we couldn't even come close to having one.

The only money we had coming was Brian's tax refund that might do. I suggested he go to our bank and promise them that check when it arrived if they would give us the funds now for a down payment. He looked at me like I was crazy telling me that banks just don't do that. He took some time to think about it.

The house we wanted was already in process of being built. I loved Psalm 37 for so many reasons, especially the above verse. Without Brian knowing it, I got out our old beat up typewriter, non electric, and typed the above verse 50 times. I cut out each strip, carefully rolling up each one as tightly as I could. I drove out to that house on a really cold, gloomy day. The men weren't working and I was glad because I was on a mission. I tucked each of those little rolls all over that building. They went in the holes of bricks, tucked into sockets, some inside drywall and even down some drains. May I tell you today that whoever lives in that house today has no idea all the Scripture that could be found in that place.

A couple of days later, Brian went to the bank feeling negative but feeling “Why not.” He came home with a huge grin. The banker had never done such a thing before but with a signed agreement, Brian had a check in hand.

I believe it would have worked anyway. We had always delighted in the Lord but claimed a promise. We had the joy of loving on our Father in some new and wonderful ways. We determined to honor the Lord with that house even to the day Brian handed the keys to a new owner. Our delighting didn't stop there as God has been our delight ongoing with Brian there and me here.

What a delight You are Father. Thank You for the sweet memories I have of You having worked in our lives through the years and You continuing to do so on my behalf as I'm alone now. I so love and appreciate You...Amen