Thankful Thursday - His Words

You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"?

But He gives a greater grace, therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."

Submit therefore to God resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you - cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:4-10

Every word I share today is for me just as much as it is for anyone who comes to read them. His word is speaking to me and calling me to do - to act - to be changed - to see things His Way. Note: I understand that the money spent during the holiday helps keep people employed and helps our economy. Which then helps touch far reaching places around the world. However, there are parts of this entire season that economics, stats, facts, etc can never justify much of what we say vs. what we do.

I have been blessed by reading other blogs (like Amy's post here or Mandy's blog here) who are sharing their hearts about this season and being uncomfortable with the reality of a holiday bursting into our lives so early once again - forced upon us in every store before its due time. For there is a season upon which everything has its time.

I for one LOVE Thanksgiving and everything about it. Can you even imagine if we all put as much energy, time and resources into Thanksgiving as we do Christmas-Hanukkah-Kwanza? Can you imagine the impact it would have on our lives and the world around us if we lived to be thankful for almost two months straight!? If our complete focus was on being thankful and sharing our blessings with those in need? Truly being the hands and feet of Christ to all that we know and to find ways to bless those who go without every single day!?

Its easy for me to be thankful living here in America in the house I do - where clean water comes out of my tap every time I turn it on. Where I can afford to have heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. Where I have screens and windows to keep out bugs. Where I can drive to a store and buy any kind of food I desire to eat. Where I can choose which doctor I want to see and have insurance to cover the majority of the costs when I am sick. Where I can get all that I need to teach my children and choose to do it at home. Where I can choose to stay home and raise them. Where I can choose to teach them daily from His word. I can't imagine NOT being thankful!

I love being thankful and looking around at all the gifts and blessings God has given us. Money can't buy one thing I'm most thankful for - because every thing that matters most has been given to me by God. From the morning sunrise to the evening sunset. From the blessing of life that comes bursting into our lives during the Spring. From the vastness of the evening sky filled with stars to the depth and power of the ocean. From the majesty and glory of the mountains. From the power of a rain storm - thunder and lightening. From the gentle mist of an early morning rain. From the gentle breezes during the Spring that carry the smells of flowers blooming all around.

As if that is NOT enough - God has blessed us with life - every single breath we take is a gift from Him! He has given us joy! He has given us peace! He has given us hope! He has given us love! He fills our life with good things! Mine with the most amazing husband and 9 beautiful children - 7 through adoption!


And if that is NOT enough - God has given us with the ability to sing and worship Him. He has given us reason to tell the world about the many wonders He has done.


And if that is NOT enough God gave us His only begotten Son - who was willing to fully walk this earth in obedience to His Father knowing that He would endure the cross. That He would be rejected by the very people He was sent for, cast out and put to death through crucifixion. No matter how much they rejected Him and all the things done to Him, said about Him and the evil plans man continues to make against Him - He left behind His word and offered us a choice...to walk in His love. To allow His death to fully pay the price for our lives and every sin we will ever commit and be covered by the blood of Jesus.

A love that never stops giving. A love that never changes. A love that knows no bounds. A love that lasts forever. A love that will change you from the inside out. A love that will fill up every broken place in your life and heart. A love that calls you to Him. A love that asks you to lay down your life for Him. A love that will enable you to do it! A love that will enable you to do things you never dared or imagined! A love that is NOT dependent on what you can give in return! A love that just is and always will be!

But you see we are not content with that - we are a people who want more and are no better than the Israelites crying out in the dessert for food and water after God saved them from salvery. As far back as you can look man has wanted more than what God had given them. Adam and Eve had everything they could possibly need and more - but they were not content. Eve thought she might be missing out on something and wanted what God said was the one thing they could not eat.

We are like modern day Eve's. We want what God says is not good for us. From the clothes we wear, to the music we listen to, the TV shows we watch and all the magazines we allow into our homes. How about how we spend our time? Or how we make excuses for the things we do? Eve only had one thing not to eat - we have more than we know what to do with to avoid - from too much time on the phone, computer, cell phone, texting, twittering, FB'ing, and every kind of junk food imaginable that is slowly killing our nation! And sickening enough we want more.


Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 1 Timothy 6:6-7


I am reminded again as I read His words - that all that we desire and things we believe we need - there is only one thing worth striving for - just one. Him and Him alone!

This world and all the things in it mean nothing. Spending money we don't have for a holiday that truly has nothing to do with Him. Saddens me. Why?

Because there are 147 million children right now alive - who need food, water, shelter, clothes, shoes, and a safe place to call home.

There are millions more who need the very same things. Their children aren't begging for the latest and greatest technical gadget - they are crying from hunger and thirst. Their children aren't overwhelming them with a long laundry list of must haves from every store that blasts into their precious minds day in and day out. No, their children are asking where are they going to sleep tonight Mommy? When are we going to eat again? When is someone going to come and help us?

Sure I enjoy looking at the lights others put up and it is fun to celebrate with family. But at what cost? If us celebrating this one day is NOT changing lives for eternity than I'm sorry we are wasting a heck of a lot of resources, time and money for nothing! And to be honest my house has more stuff - toys, books, etc than any one child could ever need (let alone 9)! The world may care about their happiness - but God cares about their hearts and where they are putting their faith, looking for joy, peace, hope, rest and love!

The world is about to become busy beyond what it can handle again for the next 8 weeks. Before we all know it Thanksgiving will come and go. The trees will be cut down and put up around the country. Churches will be full for a few weeks beyond normal capacity. Roads will be busier. Traffic will cause aggravation and frustration to those trying to get home during rush hour. And travelers will be slowed down at airports across the country. Stores will be stuffed with the newest things everyone must have and people will be lining up outside their doors trying to get the best deal on the very things filling the shelves inside.


Why?


I wish I knew and understood. I am going to be 42 in three months and as long as I can remember I never understood the holiday season. Now that I know Him my heart grieves this time of year.


Christ is to be glorified every day. His birth changed everything - yes. But His life and death lived in full obedience mean even more! The price He paid for each of us to be adopted into His kingdom forever is greater than any gift anyone could ever buy for us.

Are we willing to receive that gift fully? Accept everything it means and lay down our lives for it? How does our lives; not one day or month speak of our love for Him?


We are to be singing His praises every single day of our lives. We are to be living examples of the love He gives us. We are to be light in the dark world around us. We are to be set apart and not like this world. We are warned that no one can have two masters. That no one can serve man and God. That those who say they love God yet hold onto the things of this world are truly His enemy. How will they know we are His? By how much stuff we have? By the houses we live in? The cars we drive? The amount of gadgets that fill our homes? The clothes we wear? If our homes are covered in lights on the outside but void of His light on the inside - can we really show others His love?

From what I have read and continue to read - God surely doesn't seem to care about any of that! He is pretty serious about us being content with Him and His grace being sufficient. Then He wants to see how much we are willing to give up to be used by Him! His love poured in and out of us - is a choice. Are we hearers only? Or will become the doers He has asked of us -sanctified and set apart for You our Master - ready to do Your will?


Do not love the world nor the things in the world If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17


I try to avoid stores for the next three months. I'm not a big shopper to begin with and malls make me crazy any time of year...but now they throw me over the edge. Instead of seeing joyful faces - there are frowns, grumblings and people who looked so over stressed and tired that there is no way their hearts are in line with God's desires for them. To rest. To have peace and joy abundantly. Peace not of this world. The peace He came to give can't be bought in any store you are going to spend your hard earned money in. The joy He came to give is only felt by knowing Him and seeking to walk with Him every day of our lives.


People so rushed they are actually willing to get into a fight over a parking spot or their line in place waiting outside of a store. How can that possibly please God - when it is a holiday meant to celebrate His Son and the gift He came to give?


Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we must give an account. Hebrews 4:11-13

And so I sit and ponder the very words He has spoken to me over and over again the last four years. Trying to figure out how can I be a light brighter this year than last and guiding others to see Him and leave behind the things of this world - ready and willing to give up their wants and needs for His! Because the only thing I can see in His word that truly matters most to Him is not what we give one another (I wonder why are we giving gifts to one another and not to Him) but how we love one another.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

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 richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:12-17

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