Plea for Grace

The barrage of images is relentless — commercials, newspaper ads, radio spots, email, website popups — all reminding us of what we don’t have, and what we need to “make Christmas special.”
It’s so easy to get sidetracked; to allow our thoughts to turn to what I have been “denied” rather than to the incredible mercy and blessing of God.  The following was one of my prayers this morning. . .

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.  But I will flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.  (1 Timothy 6:9-11)

a Blessed Christmas, everyone,
bev

The following is an excerpt from “Wikipedia” on the subject of “holiday” –

Holiday

Holiday originally referred only to special religious days. In modern use, it means any special day of rest or relaxation, as opposed to normal days off work or school. The word derived from the notion of “Holy Day”, and gradually evolved to its current form.

As an observance

In all of the English-speaking world, including North America, holiday may refer to a day set aside by a nation or culture (in some cases, multiple nations and cultures) for commemoration, celebration, or other observance. . .

This year, I’m encouraging myself to truly commemorate, to truly celebrate, to truly observe the reason for our holiday.  So, when the tree goes up, do I pause to pray for and celebrate the people, places, events that are represented in the ornaments and nativity sets?

When I bake and cook, do I remember to pray for (and tangibly help) those who are hungry? Those who might be encouraged to know that someone thought of them during this season?

When I shop, am I buying presents to show genuine love and affection and generosity, or am I motivated by what others think or expect?  Am I proud or generous?

I’m not one of those who will chant — forsake all the commercialism of the holiday!  Just be mindful of what and who we commemorate, observe and celebrate this season.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV

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!