Focus of thanks giving

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100: 4-5

Thanksgiving Day is not the beginning of the insane shopping season that Christmas has become. It is a day to recognize our blessings and give thanks. With the frenzy to sell more and be first to do it, Thanksgiving has become more about who can get the doors open first and have the biggest bait and switch hooks to lure buyers in. I can’t imagine anything more daunting than shopping on Thanksgiving Day or Black Friday, be it in a brick and mortar building or online. I admire the shop owners who adamantly remained closed Thursday so their employees could spend time with family. There are some essential services that require people to work every day. Retail stores hardly qualify.

Thanksgiving goes on throughout the year, not just the officially dedicated day. When we forget to be thankful we also forget to acknowledge the source of everything we have. Our blessings abound year around. Giving God glory, praise and thanksgiving are part and parcel of who we are and what we have. His blessings determine the richness of our lives whether we’re living in a mansion on in more humble circumstances. Our actions and behavior are a reflection of whose we are, not what we have. By sharing what we have through giving to the church or charities or by our caring attention to the needs of others, we are showing our gratitude. Sharing glorifies God and makes the most of who he made us to be.

Prayer

Tis the Season

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:4

Even at his most desperate King David found time to pray, honoring God and acknowledging his prominent place in David's life. The enemy was at his door. He prayed. He made unwise choices. He asked forgiveness. He turned his back on the teachings of God to get his own way. In the end, when it all went to pieces, he prayed. Pray any time and for any reason. God is the all-powerful, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He does indeed know what's going on. But do we? Through prayer we gain strength and understanding. Prayer isn't incidental to our lives; it is essential. God in His heaven; Christ in our hearts; the Holy Spirit an infusing force. Pray any time and for any reason. Prayer is always in season.

Faith

In His Hands

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

The times we need faith most are the times we have our greatest fears. Will God take care of this? Does he fully comprehend how bad… worrisome… unmanageable… sorrowful… depressing… distressing… my life is? Why would He care enough to do anything? Maybe He wants ME to take care of it. And then you start thinking of all the ways you will “fix” your problems without Him, often making things worse, much worse. Faith doesn’t mean sitting on the sidelines and doing nothing. It does mean prayerfully including God in every decision and trusting Him to give you wisdom and discernment. How life turns out from day to day is in His hands. Faith is the most powerful tool of the believer. Faith is the means by which you will get through it all.

Prayer

God's unknowable plan 

Luke 22:42 – “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Do you pray believing? The strength of prayer is less about the words we choose and much more about the depth of our belief. Impossible outcomes do happen, because they are only impossible in our sight, not God’s. Having written those lines I will  insert the common questions about how, when and why, or in some cases “if” God will indeed answer your prayer, or mine for that matter. Horrific and devastating events do happen, and often after we have prayed our hearts out for a particular outcome. The words I come back to as reassurance and instruction are found in Luke 22:42 – “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Jesus, knowing what was ahead, gave himself into God’s hands – “not my will, your will.” Pray believing, trusting in God’s unknowable plan, His will, not yours, not mine, His.

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What does it mean to be God aware?

Shout with joy to the Lord, O earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy. Psalm 100:1-2

 Be spiritually awake and God aware. What does that mean? Life in the modern age seems to be focused on self-improvement and self-awareness. Neither reflects a desire for heaven's joy. Being God aware begins with being worshipful and open to God at work in your life. 

• Reach out to those who are lonely and lost, and in whatever ways you can, relieve their pain.
• Build other people up. Help them identify and believe in their God-given gifts.
• Wear a smile and pass it on.
• Surround yourself with nurturing people and experiences so when the time comes you may nurture others who are in need of care.
• Pray. It isn't a formula; it's a faith practice. Pray from your heart.

 God is listening. God is at work. We are his hands.

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I welcome your comments about what you think it means to be God aware. Please post your comments in the comments section. I will appreciate you sharing this post with others by clicking on one of the share buttons.

Listen and you will hear

Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

I’m part of an online prayer ministry that is both heartbreaking and uplifting. The heartbreak comes from realizing how many people are in deep distress. The needs are as wide as a river and as high as a mountain, daunting in scope and depth. My constant prayer is that each requester will be reminded by someone close to them of the words found in 1 Peter 5:7. Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you. 

I am uplifted by the number of people who write in to say, “Thanks.” Thanks for praying for me. Thanks for listening. Thanks for responding. Thanks to God for life and grace.

In our lives at least once a day we come into contact with someone who just wants us to listen. Not talk, not give advice, not judge… just listen.

It's Me, Lord

Psalm 143: 7-11

It’s me, Lord, a little uncertain as a new day begins,
Fearful of the demands of life in the days ahead.
I may not be able to meet expectations.
Whatever I do, Lord, may it be your will.

It’s me, Lord, thankful you are with me
As I wade into the mix of life that tests my patience,
Occasionally sparks anger,
And sometimes brings about poor choices.

It’s me, Lord, your sometimes unwilling tool,
Praying I will listen for your voice
Which comes in many forms,
Reminding me of your promise to love, comfort, and nurture.

It’s me, Lord, thankful that doing your will
Makes it possible to initiate change in myself.
My reward is the peace that comes from knowing
You are with me at every step.

It’s me, Lord, thankful for the strength
That empowers me do what needs to be done,
And for the ways, great and small, I am able
To be effective and productive.

It’s me, Lord, praying I will be prepared
To do whatever comes my way
Based on your plan uniquely designed for me.
Your presence in my life is the greatest gift of all.