Plea for Grace

This is Thanksgiving week.  The introduction to the holiday season.  In all the busy-ness, I really pray that we would not forget to be grateful for all that we have — as a nation, as a church, as individuals.

The letter to the Colossians has a wonderful theme of thankfulness.  I want to pray through these passages this week.  Will you join me?

 

I’m thankful for my salvation. God has redeemed me; He has chosen me; He has accepted me.

^{“. . .}giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:12-14 ESV

I’m thankful for those who have given of themselves to teach the Word faithfully.  I’m thankful for the Holy Spirit who lives in me, and who teaches me the truth.

^{“. . .}Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7 ESV

I’m thankful for the peace of God, which is a result of an attitude of gratitude.  I’m thankful for my church family; for the larger family of believers who encourage me, admonish me, and call me to godliness.  I’m thankful that God has given me life and breath and the health and strength to “do” things.  I’m thankful that whatever I do is not done in my own strength, but it is a gift from a loving God who always wants my best.  I’m thankful that He gives me opportunity to share with others how wonderful He is.

^{“. . .}And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17 ESV

I’m thankful for the gift of prayer.  I’m thankful that God wants me to pray to Him.  I’m thankful that, through prayer, I see more of Him — who He is and how He works in this world.

“. . .Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2 ESV

So, why have I been “camping out” on gratitude of late?  Here’s a quote from the late Dr. D. James Kennedy, in a message he gave on the subject of gratitude.

An ungrateful person is only one step away from getting their needs met in illegitimate ways. You’d never be tempted or commit adultery if you were really thankful for your spouse. You would not be tempted to steal if you were really grateful for what you had. You would not be envious of others’ talents and abilities if you were grateful for those God has given you. You would not be proud if you were thankful. You see, pride short circuits thankfulness. ¹

¹ D.James Kennedy. The Christian’s Magic Wand, p. 7.

^“Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.”

Psalm 86:11-13 ESV

 

Precious Father, make us grateful people!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone,

I just re-read my last post (ok, it’s been a month now!). . .

In my silence once again,

my husband had back surgery;

husband and daughter had h1n1 (no serious complications but really sick);

daughter injured her neck;

during these preceding two items, I needed to help take care of the baby (Matthew is now 2 months old),  while also take care of a post-operative husband;

AT THE SAME TIME I am battling a very annoying CFS flare, which has my sleep interrupted, my throat sore, lymph nodes swollen, and every joint either on fire or aching.  That’s not to mention the fatigue and emotional meltdowns. . .

So, now what?  I MUST speak truth to my soul.  I MUST use the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God to fight, no matter how tired I am and no matter how continuous the onslaught.

“Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.  I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.’ . .Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure. . .I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.  I have set the Lord always before me.  Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”  Psalm 16:1,2,5-8 NIV

I truly have nothing good apart from God.  He knows every detail of my life, and every circumstance; nothing escapes His notice.  He cares for me; He is good to me!  He is before me; behind me; beside me; under me; and over me.  He is here in my today, and there in my tomorrow.  What awesome grace!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving.  He is worth of all praise.

The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

They are planted in the house of the Lord;

they flourish in the courts of our God.

They still bear fruit in old age;

they are ever full of sap and green,

to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no

unrighteousness in him.  Psalm 92:12-15 ESV

Yes, it has been a full 8 weeks since I have posted to this blog!  During my absence. . .

I severely injured my back, and had surgery to remedy the problem;

I became a grandmother for the second time (my two daughters had their babies 32 days apart; one in AK and one in OR)

I lost a friend to cancer;

I turned 52;

I celebrated my 30th wedding anniversary (since I was recovering from back surgery and my husband subsequently injured his back again, we didn’t do much “celebrating”);

Of course, 56 days of “life” happened during my hiatus.  Paying bills, cleaning house, visiting the sick, listening to hurts, comforting the grieving, holding a baby, drinking coffee with a friend, church, work, home, family. . .

So, why this passage?  During this particular season, when I have been home because I can’t drive or sit up very long, and am weak from surgery and must very gradually build strength so as not to do further injury –

I find myself wondering, Lord, my work for you isn’t over because I’m still alive; but I certainly can’t “work” like I used to.  What is my place now?  Where do I fit?

I can be that flourishing cedar in the house of God.  Ever-growing, still lush and green even though years and years from a sapling.  I can be rooted and grounded in God and His Word.  I can declare, from my years of walking with Him, that He is absolutely upright; there is no unrighteousness in Him.  He is faithful; He is good.  As long as I have breath in my body, I will tell of all His wonderful works!

This statement was made by a young African martyr, penned just before his death.  The poem has become a battle cry for missionaries, not only in Africa, but around the world.

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed.  The die has been cast.  I have stepped over the line.  The decision has been made.  I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.  My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.

I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, chained visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and warped goals.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear.

I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, and paid up for the cause of Jesus Christ.

I must go ’til He comes, give ’til I drop, preach ’til everyone knows, work ’til He stops me.  And when He comes for His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me because my banner will have been clear.

(Courtesy of Every Home for Christ)

I want to be a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.  Have you “crossed the line?”  Is your decision clear?

“Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.”

Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:61-62