There are so many day that I rush through life and forget to stop and say thank you to the One who has given me all of those gifts. Today, join me in thanking our Almighty Father for the bountiful gifts He has given us, including:
Free will - I'm going to let you in on a little secret: I'm super competitive. And, while that can be fun and great when you're on a collegiate volleyball team or playing in the state finals in tennis, it can also be a curse if you're playing against someone who isn't really that into it. There is nothing worse than playing against someone who is letting you win. It takes all of the fun out of it. That is why I am so thankful that God designed His creation as free moral agents. We aren't robots that are forced to do His will and serve Him. Instead, we are creatures who get to choose to love Him and choose to serve Him.
Maybe you have never been in a relationship or friendship that was one-sided, but let me tell you, it is no fun. And so, while there are some who will not choose to love and serve their Maker, there are others who will, of their own free will, choose to enter into a relationship and covenant with God; one that will be enriching and beautiful. Would I enjoy being a Christian and having a relationship with God if I had to? Maybe not. But do I love being in a relationship that I choose to be in with the Almighty? Absolutely; because I recognize that this isn't a right I have. Instead, it's a gift. The created have no right to be so close to the Creator, and yet He loves each of us individually and I, for one, am so thankful that He does.
Being members of the church - Just recently I was hanging out with two of my friends and I thought to myself how amazing it was that I was a part of their spiritual family. It is so amazing to have like-minded people--people with some of the same struggles and fears and hopes and dreams--who only want to help you get to heaven. It is so uplifting and encouraging to sit around a table with 10-15 people your age who are all interested in going to heaven. It is absolutely amazing to sit under a shed with 1500 people who have all gathered together to sing praises to their God! I am so thankful that Jesus designed His church to be a family. Every single week I am encouraged by my brothers and sisters--those who live in the same town that I do and those who are spread out over thousands of miles. There are even some days that I don't think I could make it if I didn't have their advice or encouragement or support, which is exactly why the church was designed this way. I am so thankful for the foresight and mercy that was shown in creating the body of Christ. Truly God and His Son had people's feelings and emotions in mind when they made such a beautiful thing.
Prayer - If you are like me, sometimes you stand in awe of the fact that at any given moment, you can go to God in prayer. Most of the time, it is when I am in need of forgiveness or strength that I find this blessing to be so awesome. It is unfathomable that we, lowly and sinful human beings, can have a direct line to the Creator of the entire universe at any time we wish. Truly we are a blessed people, whose Maker only has their best interest in mind.
Today, I am so thankful for so many things, but for these especially. I am thankful that I get to choose to be in this relationship with God, and not only that, but that the choice is even made available to someone as sinful as I. I am thankful that, not only do I get to be in a relationship with God when I put on Christ in baptism, but I also get to be a part of a huge family whose one desire is to be in heaven when this life is over. And probably the greatest blessing of all is that we have a direct line to our Father, so that when we mess up (which for me is so often), we can beg for His forgiveness at any time, day or night.
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Monday, February 4, 2013
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
12-12-12
There is a lot of hype surrounding today, and understandably so. Today is the last day in our lives (and probably the lives of our children) that we we will see a sequential date: 12-12-12. And that's exciting to us. Really, though, does it matter? Probably not.
If you're like me, you don't believe in luck. You believe in blessings from God Almighty, as all good and perfect things come from Him (James 1:17). And so, instead of basing your attitude about today on a sequence of numbers, meditate on another 12-12 with me.
Romans 12 has always been an inspiring section of scripture to me. To begin with, the apostle Paul urges the Romans to be a living sacrifice--not conformed to the world, but transformed...a perfect picture of living a holy and sanctified life. As the chapter continues, we are introduced to a segment that is generally referred to as a guide on how to behave as a Christian. It is within that context that we read the following:
1: Rejoice in hope - Biblical hope isn't the same as worldly hope. Biblical hope is an expectation, not simply a wish. And so, because of all of the things God has promised to those who love Him and are faithful to Him, we can rejoice in our hope of heaven...in our expectation of heaven. We don't have to live in doubt, wondering what will happen to us when we die. We can rejoice and have confidence that we and our loved ones who are living faithfully will all be in heaven when this earth is no more.
On this day of superstition and luck (and in the coming days with the Mayan calendar mumbo jumbo), remember that our eternal destiny is already known by our Father, and that His promise of heaven has already been given. It does not take luck to get into heaven--it takes obedience to God's word.
2: Be patient in tribulation - Perhaps this point is even more relevant around the holiday season. Sometimes family gatherings can be hectic and chaotic and stressful. Other people tend to be stressed, which can then lead to negative encounters while shopping, driving, and even assembling to worship! Though it is the season to get stressed out, try your best to refrain from such. Know that in whatever trial or pitfall you find yourself in that the God of all comfort is there with you. Mediate on such passages like 1 Corinthians 10:13 and Hebrews 13:5. Know that God is bigger and stronger than anything that could ever come your way, and in Him we have strength and a peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7).
But also know that your attitude makes all the difference. Sometimes we don't think of attitudes as sinful, but they can be. Instead of flying off the handle because you've had a bad day or letting your lips flap because someone has gotten under your skin (am I the only one who struggles with this daily!?), remember whose you are and how Christ reacted when placed under extreme stress and tribulation. Did He lash out at the crowd crying "crucify Him!" or respond when those soldiers beat Him and spat on Him? No day you have ever had will be that bad, so remember to practice some patience.
3: Continue steadfastly in prayer - Every day of our lives should involve prayer. Our God has done so much for us, and we fail Him so often. Remember to go to Him and thank Him for the time that you've been given, for the people who have blessed your life, and for the physical wealth you have been given in abundance. Our Father is such a liberal giver, and we all have so much to be thankful for.
While the rest of the world is making a wish at 12:12 on 12-12-12, why not say a prayer and thank God for all the marvelous blessings He has sent your way? And, because He has given so much, make a special effort to be a blessing in someone else's life today. Pray that God will give you an opportunity to serve, or to simply make someone's day brighter.
If you're like me, you don't believe in luck. You believe in blessings from God Almighty, as all good and perfect things come from Him (James 1:17). And so, instead of basing your attitude about today on a sequence of numbers, meditate on another 12-12 with me.
Romans 12 has always been an inspiring section of scripture to me. To begin with, the apostle Paul urges the Romans to be a living sacrifice--not conformed to the world, but transformed...a perfect picture of living a holy and sanctified life. As the chapter continues, we are introduced to a segment that is generally referred to as a guide on how to behave as a Christian. It is within that context that we read the following:
"rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer." (Romans 12:12)On this twelfth day of the twelfth month in the twelfth year of this century, why not practice the things that Romans 12:12 urges us to do.
1: Rejoice in hope - Biblical hope isn't the same as worldly hope. Biblical hope is an expectation, not simply a wish. And so, because of all of the things God has promised to those who love Him and are faithful to Him, we can rejoice in our hope of heaven...in our expectation of heaven. We don't have to live in doubt, wondering what will happen to us when we die. We can rejoice and have confidence that we and our loved ones who are living faithfully will all be in heaven when this earth is no more.
On this day of superstition and luck (and in the coming days with the Mayan calendar mumbo jumbo), remember that our eternal destiny is already known by our Father, and that His promise of heaven has already been given. It does not take luck to get into heaven--it takes obedience to God's word.
2: Be patient in tribulation - Perhaps this point is even more relevant around the holiday season. Sometimes family gatherings can be hectic and chaotic and stressful. Other people tend to be stressed, which can then lead to negative encounters while shopping, driving, and even assembling to worship! Though it is the season to get stressed out, try your best to refrain from such. Know that in whatever trial or pitfall you find yourself in that the God of all comfort is there with you. Mediate on such passages like 1 Corinthians 10:13 and Hebrews 13:5. Know that God is bigger and stronger than anything that could ever come your way, and in Him we have strength and a peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7).
But also know that your attitude makes all the difference. Sometimes we don't think of attitudes as sinful, but they can be. Instead of flying off the handle because you've had a bad day or letting your lips flap because someone has gotten under your skin (am I the only one who struggles with this daily!?), remember whose you are and how Christ reacted when placed under extreme stress and tribulation. Did He lash out at the crowd crying "crucify Him!" or respond when those soldiers beat Him and spat on Him? No day you have ever had will be that bad, so remember to practice some patience.
3: Continue steadfastly in prayer - Every day of our lives should involve prayer. Our God has done so much for us, and we fail Him so often. Remember to go to Him and thank Him for the time that you've been given, for the people who have blessed your life, and for the physical wealth you have been given in abundance. Our Father is such a liberal giver, and we all have so much to be thankful for.
While the rest of the world is making a wish at 12:12 on 12-12-12, why not say a prayer and thank God for all the marvelous blessings He has sent your way? And, because He has given so much, make a special effort to be a blessing in someone else's life today. Pray that God will give you an opportunity to serve, or to simply make someone's day brighter.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Tough Stuff Tuesday: Complaining
I recently did a post about Philippians 2:14-15. Those verses tell us not to complain, because we are to shine as lights in the world. If we really want the light of Christ to shine through us, we have to stop complaining about every little bump that comes along in the road.
Since posting about that, complaining has been at the forefront of my mind, probably because it is something that I really struggle with. A lot like worry, complaining is one of those things that "everybody" does and so we try to make it ok, instead of calling it what it is: sin.
Recently, I came across another passage that really made me think about the way I use my words. Let's read 1 Cor. 10:6-10. In the context, Paul is writing to the Corinthians about the children of Israel and the things that they did wrong. Here's what he says:
Complaining is serious to God. As if one passage isn't enough (Phil. 2:14), the Bible gives us this discourse on what the children of Israel did wrong. And what was one of their sins: complaining. It wasn't just that they complained and that God didn't like it; no, the Holy Spirit recorded for us that they were destroyed because of their complaining.
God doesn't change. He is from everlasting to everlasting. He has always and will always hate sin. Why, then, do we constantly try to justify things that the Bible clearly tells us are wrong? We say, "Oh, everyone worries, it's not a big deal" or "Everyone complains so it must not really be that bad". In our society, everyone seems to be caught up in a lot of things that the Bible deems sinful, and guess what? That doesn't make it ok!
We must constantly guard our tongues (Prov. 21:23, Psalm 39:1) so that we keep from separating ourselves from God. Jesus warned us in Matt. 12:37 that our words would either justify or condemn us in the last day. If words are that important (even the idle or fruitless ones--Matt. 12:36), why do we not watch what we say a little more closely?
I am so guilty of these transgressions, and I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father forgives me every single day. I want to do better, though. I don't want to continue in sin so that grace may abound (Rom. 6:1). No, I want to keep my tongue from sinning. I want to make my heart pure so that there is nothing sinful coming out. But how do we do that? What's the first step in having a non-complaining tongue?
Read what Paul had to say to the brethren at Colossae:
When our hearts are so focused on thanking God for all He's given to us, we won't be quick to complain that something didn't go our way. We'll know that God has given us beyond what we could ever deserve, and even when something was taken away from us or didn't go quite as we planned, we've been and will continue to be taken care of by the Creator of the Universe Himself.
It isn't only physical blessings that we need to thank God for, either. God gave us the most precious, beautiful gift of all: His Son. In no way, shape or form could we ever merit this kind of love, and yet it has been given specifically to each and every one of us. Perhaps that is why God hates complaining so much. How ungrateful must we seem when we complain about little things that don't even matter (things that won't follow us into the afterlife), when God has given us ETERNAL life? We must seem like spoiled little children. I know that I, for one, am guilty of acting that way.
Let us all dedicate our hearts to thinking and speaking differently. I know there is at least one thing in your life (as there are multiple in mine) that tempts you to complain. Recognize what that is and guard your tongue. Decide that instead of complaining about that person or situation, you will instead thank God for all of the blessings He's given you. Use your mouth this week (and every week) to thank and praise Him, instead of dwelling on things that are temporal anyway.
Since posting about that, complaining has been at the forefront of my mind, probably because it is something that I really struggle with. A lot like worry, complaining is one of those things that "everybody" does and so we try to make it ok, instead of calling it what it is: sin.
Recently, I came across another passage that really made me think about the way I use my words. Let's read 1 Cor. 10:6-10. In the context, Paul is writing to the Corinthians about the children of Israel and the things that they did wrong. Here's what he says:
"Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, 'The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play'. Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer." (emp. mine)Now wait just a minute. You mean to tell me that complaining is listed right there with idolatry, sexual immorality, and even tempting Christ?!? How can that be?
Complaining is serious to God. As if one passage isn't enough (Phil. 2:14), the Bible gives us this discourse on what the children of Israel did wrong. And what was one of their sins: complaining. It wasn't just that they complained and that God didn't like it; no, the Holy Spirit recorded for us that they were destroyed because of their complaining.
God doesn't change. He is from everlasting to everlasting. He has always and will always hate sin. Why, then, do we constantly try to justify things that the Bible clearly tells us are wrong? We say, "Oh, everyone worries, it's not a big deal" or "Everyone complains so it must not really be that bad". In our society, everyone seems to be caught up in a lot of things that the Bible deems sinful, and guess what? That doesn't make it ok!
We must constantly guard our tongues (Prov. 21:23, Psalm 39:1) so that we keep from separating ourselves from God. Jesus warned us in Matt. 12:37 that our words would either justify or condemn us in the last day. If words are that important (even the idle or fruitless ones--Matt. 12:36), why do we not watch what we say a little more closely?
I am so guilty of these transgressions, and I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father forgives me every single day. I want to do better, though. I don't want to continue in sin so that grace may abound (Rom. 6:1). No, I want to keep my tongue from sinning. I want to make my heart pure so that there is nothing sinful coming out. But how do we do that? What's the first step in having a non-complaining tongue?
Read what Paul had to say to the brethren at Colossae:
"Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving." (4:2)James told us that when we want or need something, we are to ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach (1:5). If we want tongues that will be pure, we need to ask God to strengthen us. But look at what Paul said: not just to continue in prayer, but to be vigilant in it with thanksgiving.
When our hearts are so focused on thanking God for all He's given to us, we won't be quick to complain that something didn't go our way. We'll know that God has given us beyond what we could ever deserve, and even when something was taken away from us or didn't go quite as we planned, we've been and will continue to be taken care of by the Creator of the Universe Himself.
It isn't only physical blessings that we need to thank God for, either. God gave us the most precious, beautiful gift of all: His Son. In no way, shape or form could we ever merit this kind of love, and yet it has been given specifically to each and every one of us. Perhaps that is why God hates complaining so much. How ungrateful must we seem when we complain about little things that don't even matter (things that won't follow us into the afterlife), when God has given us ETERNAL life? We must seem like spoiled little children. I know that I, for one, am guilty of acting that way.
Let us all dedicate our hearts to thinking and speaking differently. I know there is at least one thing in your life (as there are multiple in mine) that tempts you to complain. Recognize what that is and guard your tongue. Decide that instead of complaining about that person or situation, you will instead thank God for all of the blessings He's given you. Use your mouth this week (and every week) to thank and praise Him, instead of dwelling on things that are temporal anyway.
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