Every day in the month of November 2020, I have posted scripture and thoughts. Today, I’m sharing a few of the most popular with you. I hope you enjoy. You can find the all the posts on IG. http://www.instagram.com/jlikestogo/
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As we receive Christ Jesus as Lord, we continue to live our lives in Him. We are rooted and built up in Him. We are strengthened in the faith as we were taught. We overflow with thanksgiving.
Our lives in Christ are like the waves on a bend in the river. We are always moving forward yet there are times and places when our lives ebb and flow becoming narrow and spreading out like the tides connected to the moon. We find ourselves further from Jesus when we lay our heads down at night.
Recognizing this is where our intentional movement brings us closer to Jesus or our strong human desire moves us further away from Jesus.
To Jesus or away from Jesus.
We decide.
Being rooted in Him, built up in Him, strengthened in the faith and overflowing with thankfulness.
This process in our growth and transformation is beautiful.
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“On the day I called , You answered me; my strength of soul You increased. “
This verse, speaks to me today in a different way. There are days when I need more of God.
Today is Thanksgiving. It is my favorite day! Several family members came and many of us ate outside. A wonderful day.
Enter the mix of my dog missing her 2nd and 3rd meals. She isn’t ok. She’s slowing down as she turns 14. My sweet old lady.
Then I just received word a friend’s son in law died this afternoon- age 35. I’m heartbroken for this family, his wife, my friend, three daughters and his parents and friends.
So, as I sit here, feeling helpless, I know that I know that I am not helpless. No one can go. Doubtful we can go to the funeral and everyone who knows and loves this family is pretty much feeling the same way right now.
So many life events have become such that we cannot interact as a community hugging each other and loving with time and space shared.
How has this happened?
But here we are.
Now what?
I’ve heard myself say before “all I can do is pray”. I don’t say that anymore.
Life has taught me “the best I can do is pray”.
Today, I have been calling on the Lord. I don’t know what else to do. But I know to do this. The best I can do. And I feel the strength of my soul increasing.
Offer the best first.
I’m grateful for scripture. I’m grateful for the humbling knowledge that God teaches me through His word.
Be grateful.
Read. God’s word. Call out to Him.
Be the best you can be.
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Sacrifice. What does that word mean to you? Uncomfortable? Giving something up? Or. Something you are excited to do? Willingly?
This Psalm is one of my favorites.
Asking God to open our lips and declare His praise. Because. He doesn’t want sacrifices or burnt offerings.
He tells us very specifically what He wants.
Broken. Most of us fear brokenness and many of us can’t face our own. But He tells us it is the very thing He asks of us.
Our broken spirit.
Our broken and contrite hearts.
How much energy do we put into ourselves to prevent breakage? Why do we fear brokenness to such an extent we cover it up and bury it deep within us so no one can see it?
What we forget is that God sees every thing. Everything!
He knows our brokenness better than we do!
Only when we open that dark mausoleum we have created deep within ourselves, will we ever experience the joy that is possible in our brokenness as God holds us close in it. Only then, in our raw, fragile state, will we begin to experience His healing.
The sacrifice we make happens when we choose to become vulnerable, first to ourselves and then bringing it to Him and humbling allowing Him to accept our sacrifice. It is there our hearts become contrite and broken. Our spirit ready to become His.
And it is where lies the joy we never knew we were looking for all along.
It’s life with God.
Thanks Giving.
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Friendsgiving has become a popular tradition the past few years. Culture has not kept up the tradition of living near family, fractured families can’t be together and relationships are hard in the family tree.
Here Paul is speaking of fellow christians and his love for them.
He is thankful for them, for their faith and for their love for “all God’s people”.
He is giving thanks for them and remembering them in his prayers.
May we all speak this language to the people in our world today. “For the love of all God’s people may we remember each other in our prayers and give thanks.”
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As this year is coming to an end, may we all keep our eyes focused on our God above.
“Lord, we come to you, thanking You for Your presence in our lives. May our lives become lives of gratitude. May our lives reflect the presence of God, Jesus and the indwelling Holy Spirit to the world around us in such a way that people recognize we walk with hope. May they ask us how it is possible in this broken world and may God empower us with the boldness, kindness and humble spirit to respond in love, pointing them straight to Him. Amen”