Tag: faith

Thanksgiving

Quick Recap

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Let’s recap for a moment before we move forward on how to live a life of Gratitude

Who

 

Thanksgiving belongs to those who cry out to God in the day of their need.

Thanksgiving is meant to be a major component a Christian’s life because we are people who call on the name of Jesus.

 What

We strive not for prayers or quick whispers of thanks, but for a way of life based on relying on God, recognizing the work of God and praising God for those victories.

 Why

Living a life of gratitude requires a speck of faith and results in a mustard seed of faith.  Jesus told us faith the size of a mustard seed can move a mountain.  A life of Thanksgiving grows mighty faith warriors

Thanksgiving

An Example From David’s Life

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David credited God for acting in his life and through this he was able to obey God’s commands.  How do we know?  Look at his words to Saul when he volunteered to fight Goliath.

 1 Samuel 17:36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them because he has defied the armies of the living God.

At this point, if you stopped reading here, you would be where most of us stop in reality if not in words.

But David continues with the reason for his faith.

 The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of the Philistine.

David has the faith to go out against a giant who makes mighty soldiers quake because he knows God rescued him in the past and will be there in this day.

This is not about saying the words.  It is about building memorials to God that remind you of each time God acted on your behalf.  It’s about re-enforcing your soul and mind with the answered prayers, the miracles, the sweet God kisses in your life.

Faith is required for Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving grows faith.  We are on a wheel moving up that mountain until we have enough faith to move that mountain.  Many say, David wrote Psalm 23 regarding his battle with Goliath.

Exercise

Think about a problem you face today that you are praying to God regarding His intervention.  Has God ever in your past answered a similar prayer?  Has he acted in your life even without a prayer but you knew it was Him?  Start saying your prayer with a recognition of what God has done for you in the past.

Playlist Song for the Day

Psalm 23            2:38            Steve Ivey            Album:  30 Celtic Hymns

Secret Santa
Advent · Christian.

Secret Santa

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It has become common knowledge that the person we call Santa evolved from a Bishop named Nicholas who lived in Myra during the forth century. Nicholas is one of the most revered Christian leaders from the early church. I think because he sought to live a life based on the teachings of Christ and on the scriptures.

Nicholas orphaned while very young inherited a great deal of wealth. Rather than following a life of business, he chose to serve Christ.  The lad learned to love Jesus at an early age and eventually was named Bishop of Myra.  Three traits, in my opinion, made Nicholas someone who lived out the Christian faith.

1  Gave what he had to help others and did it in secret.

Three young girls lived in the village where he was Bishop.  Their father did not have the money to provide their dowry.  Young girls in this era who had no dowry could not expect marriage. There prospects appeared dim.

The legend varies, but it seems Nicholas decided to sneak into their home at night. He found their stockings hung up to dry.  He dropped enough gold coins into each girls stockings to assure they had a dowry.  He met their need and shared what he had.

2.  He fought for those who could not fight for themselves.

Three men, accused of a crime, were sentenced to death.  Nicholas stood up for them and fought to get them free.  He won their release.

3.  He stood strong in his faith never wavering.

Nicholas during a time of persecution of Christians refused to deny Christ and was imprisoned.

 

Prayer:   Ask God to show me people who I can help.  Help me to see the need and to have the strength to do what is needed.

I also pray for strength to never deny my faith, to be willing to tell others who my Lord is.

Mediation:   Who could I be a secret Nicholas for?  Are their people who need my help?  What could I do and how could I do it without anyone knowing?

Also think about when do I stand for Christ?  Do I deny Christ with my silence?  If my admission of being a Christian came with a cost, would I stand.

Action:  Make a plan and act on it based on the results of my meditation.  Look for people who I can make their lives better.

 

 

 

Christ knows your works
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Christ knows your works

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Reading the letters to the churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3.

Christ repeats the phrase ” I know your deeds” (or also interpreted works in some translations)

Rev 2:2; Rev 2:19; Rev 3:1; Rev 3:8; Rev 3:15

Christianity stands on the foundation that we are saved by faith.  We trust in the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross.  We claim Him as our Lord and Savior.  We know we are sinners and can not work our way to salvation.

But

We are called to good works.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The reality is that our actions, our deeds, the way we spend our time demonstrates what we believe and what we value.  Christ repeats the phrase “I know your deeds” because the way we use the hours and minutes of our day mirror our true beliefs.  The path we take indicates who or what we trust.

You say you believe in prayer, but when faced with a challenge your last action is to say a pleading prayer after all your efforts have failed.  Would your deeds indicate that you believe in prayer.  Given an hour to accomplish a task would you spend the hour in prayer? Two minutes in prayer and 58 minutes working?  Or would you pray and work through the full 60 minutes?

When you know Christ’s teachings are in conflict with something you want, would you say “Well God would want me happy so I am sure He will understand this time.”  And then proceed to satisfy your desires rather than following the teachings of Christ.

Do you worry more about politics and campaigning for a political party then you do sharing the love of Christ?

Do you worry more about securing your financial future than you do about building the Kingdom of Heaven?

Lately, I feel convicted by what my works say about me.  I believe Christ called me to specific works, good works, but I allow all kinds of businesses to fill my days.  I reach the end of each day having raced around but barely touching the things of God.  My deeds show my priorities even if my words would claim different.

What do your deeds say about your beliefs and priorities?

 

 

Fear Nothing
Christian. · Ireland · March · March 17 · St. Patrick · St. Patrick's Confession · St. Patty's Day

Fear Nothing

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Patrick discusses his situation.  He is a poor man who is constantly in danger of death or slavery.

But Patrick does not fear.   Patrick trusted God and and that faith pushed aside any fears.

 

He who made the promise is faithful; he never lies.

But I see that even here and now, I have been exalted beyond measure by the Lord, and I was not worthy that he should grant me this, while I know most certainly that poverty and failure suit me better than wealth and delight (but Christ the Lord was poor for our sakes; I certainly am wretched and unfortunate; even if I wanted wealth I have no resources, nor is it my own estimation of myself, for daily I expect to be murdered or betrayed or reduced to slavery if the occasion arises.

But I fear nothing, because of the promises of Heaven; for I have cast myself into the hands of Almighty God, who reigns everywhere. As the prophet says: “Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you [Psalm 55:22].”

Behold now I commend my soul to God who is most faithful and for whom I perform my mission in obscurity, but he is no respecter of persons and he chose me for this service that I might be one of the least of his ministers.

For which reason I should make return for all that he returns me

Questioning God.
Christian. · Ireland · March · March 17 · St. Patrick · St. Patrick's Confession · St. Patty's Day

Questioning God.

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Do people ever ask you questions about God?  Why does God allow things to happen?  Here those on the boat started questioning Patrick.

.

And after three days we reached land, and for twenty-eight days journeyed through uninhabited country, and the food ran out and hunger overtook them; and one day the steersman began saying: “Why is it, Christian? You say your God is great and all-powerful; then why can you not pray for us? For we may perish of hunger; it is unlikely indeed that we shall ever see another human being.”

Matthew 17:

20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

And thus, Patrick told them they should trust Jesus and have faith.

 In fact, I said to them, confidently: “Be converted by faith with all your heart to my Lord God, because nothing is impossible for him, so that today he will send food for you on your road, until you be sated, because everywhere he abounds.”
And with God’s help this came to pass; and behold, a herd of swine appeared on the road before our eyes, and they slew many of them, and remained there for two nights, and they were full of their meat and well restored, for many of them had fainted and would otherwise have been left half dead by the wayside.
And after this they gave the utmost thanks to God, and I was esteemed in their eyes, and from that day they had food abundantly. They discovered wild honey, besides, and they offered a share to me, and one of them said: “It is a sacrifice.” Thanks be to God, I tasted none of it.
Pray, Pray Pray
Christian. · Ireland · March · March 17 · St. Patrick · St. Patrick's Confession · St. Patty's Day

Pray, Pray Pray

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So as we left Patrick, he ran away from his master and traveled a great distance to find a boat.  He believes God called him to follow this path.  The boat owners turn him down and tell him no way can he sail on their ship.  Patrick turns and walks away praying.

 

Hearing this I left them to go to the hut where I was staying, and on the way I began to pray, and before the prayer was finished I heard one of them shouting loudly after me: “Come quickly because the men are calling you.” And immediately I went back to them and they started to say to me: “Come, because we are admitting you out of good faith; make friendship with us in any way you wish.” (And so, on that day, I refused to suck the breasts of these men from fear of God, but nevertheless I had hopes that they would come to faith in Jesus Christ, because they were barbarians.) And for this I continued with them, and forthwith we put to sea.

The fact God calls us does not mean there will not be obstacles but we should preserve as Patrick did.  He prayed asking God to show him the way.  God answered Patrick immediately, sometimes we have to wait and pray longer than Patrick did.   But if God calls a person, and the person holds to faith and trusts God, the Lord will open the path.

Look at Moses.  God called the Israelite out of Egypt.  Before them was Red Sea and behind them the armies of Egypt.

Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

15 And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.

17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,

25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lordfighteth for them against the Egyptians.

26 And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.

Opening a Mind
Ireland · Love · March · March 17 · St. Patrick · St. Patrick's Confession · St. Patty's Day

Opening a Mind

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And there the Lord opened my mind to an awareness of my unbelief, in order that, even so late, I might remember my transgressions and turn with all my heart to the Lord my God, who had regard for my insignificance and pitied my youth and ignorance. And he watched over me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and he protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son.

One minute Patrick is walking in a field and the next invaders flood down on him.  They snatch him up with thousands of his friends and family.  Patrick ended up in a part of Ireland as a slave.

The change in his life caused a change in his awareness of God.  So often this happens with nonbelievers and believers alike. Trouble has a way of waking us up to our need for God.

The teen now a slave and alone.  The people captured with him having been dispersed across the lands.  Memories of Sunday services and maybe a grandfather’s sermon reminded him of the Lord who loved him.  Patrick says that in this experience he became aware of his unbelief.

Even as a Christian, I have been drawn back to God and drawn closer to the Lord through rough events.  Some times it is only through trials that we can learn to lean on God.  We learn what it means to actually trust Jesus.  It’s easy to say you believe when you don’t or to act like you trust when you never have.  Times of trouble provide an opportunity for each person to see if their faith is all talk or if it is real.  Looking back on my life almost all my growth in relationship with God has developed in the mist of trouble.

Patrick realized through this experience that he never had a personal faith in Jesus.  You can not become a Christian until you are capable of looking at your past and being honest.  This is where we find Patrick.  He acknowledges he has not been trusting Christ.  He admits his sinful ways.  He turns to God and trusts him for the salvation of his soul.  Jesus becomes Lord of his life.

Patrick as a slave became a slave to Christ.  He no longer was tied to sin but a servant of righteousness.

Roman6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

 

Nothing will ever be the same for Patrick.

Day 19: Agape Trusts, Believes, Has Confidence In
28 Day Love Challenge · Christian. · February · Love

Day 19: Agape Trusts, Believes, Has Confidence In

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Let’s parse this one.  Agape trusts all.

I understand my love for Christ is a love which trusts Jesus in all things in all ways.  Why?  Because He has proven himself trust worthy to me.  I know that even when things seem strange and out of sorts that Jesus has it all under control and eventually it will work out for good.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Love requiring trust makes sense to me when it is us loving Jesus.  Why?  Because Jesus is trust worthy.

But turn it slightly, I know Jesus Agape me.  But I am not a trustworthy person at all.  I mean to be.  I really do.  I am like the disciples who kept falling asleep while Jesus prayed.  My spirit is willing but my flesh weak.

Matthew 28:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Why would Jesus have any trust in me?  I know He knows I will fail Him.  Yet Jesus loves me with agape love.  Jesus believes in me.  Jesus believes in you.  Jesus spoke about you and about me in his prayer.  He believed in us.  See His words.  He trusted us.

John 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

We trust Jesus, that is the foundation of our relationship with Him.  We trust him for salvation and we are to trust Him through every stage of our lives.  We see He actually has faith in us that through our walk with Him we will grow towards the perfection of being one with Him and the Father.

But we are also called to have faith in our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We need to show them we have confidence in them.  We know if they hold on tight to Jesus he can do a great work in them.  When they are weak, we may have to help them hold on.  But Agape love trusts.  We are to believe in our fellow Christians just as Jesus believes in us.  They may fail us on occasion, but we are all in this growing process together.  Jesus believes in me even when the flesh is weak.

And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks
Thanksgiving

And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks

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Saw the King and I–the Rogers Hammerstein musical-the other day.  Throughout the play, the issue of servants prostrating themselves before their king is discussed.  The Western Anna resists the act while those raised in Siam readily show this level of respect.  In the end Anna wins and the new king ends the practice.  But I am going to suggest that here in the West we should consider falling down at our King’s feet.

Prostration demonstrates either submission or adoration.  In the case of our healed leper, he ran back to the man who healed him.   He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet out of love for what Jesus had done.  I think this man would have been ready to completely submit himself to Jesus.  Christ gave this man back his life.  Before he was a prisoner of his illness; trapped inside a rotting body.  Jesus freed him to live a life among healthy people.  Jesus freed him to love and be loved; to work, to play, to live.

We owe Christ our greatest Thanks, but so seldom do we actually contemplate just how much.  We belong on our faces praising Christ and thanking for our salvation, for the fact he hears our prayers, for the miracles in our lives, and  for the Holy Spirit who is always with us.

In reality, we treat all Jesus has done for us as our birth right.  We go through life to some degree just accepting God’s gift like spoilt kids who think His gift of Grace is no big.  We owe him our everything, but we are like the 9 lepers who did not return to think Jesus.

Luke 17

17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Exercise

1) Has your faith made you whole?  Have you thanked Jesus for your Salvation and for the answered prayers in your life.  We have been writing and thinking about what God has done in our life. Review what you have written and add other reasons you are thankful.  Now find a quite place for the next few days and fall prostrate before God both in submission and admiration.  Thank Him for what He has done and ask Him to give you a greater faith.
2) Write in your journal does your gratitude to Jesus reach the level of servitude and admiration.  Would you do anything for the one who saved you? Or you more like the other nine?

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