This?

I Thessalonians 5:8  in everything give thanks for this is the will of God  in Christ Jesus for you.  (emphasis mine)

If you've followed Jesus very long you have probably heard this verse quoted many times. But as I read it the word, "this" is what stuck out to me. This? What's this? Well it is exactly what your "this" may be. What thing? Everything.

It seems impossible to be thankful when things are going horribly wrong. Even when things go just a little bit wrong being thankful  can be a struggle. The key is to be constantly in prayer. That seems hard too. But if we just realize that Jesus is always with us, we can constantly, and silently whisper a quick thank you, or where is that thing?, or please help me Lord! He longs for that kind of fellowship! Realize how much your Heavenly Father loves you! What makes your heart rejoice, makes His heart rejoice. What makes you sad, makes Him sad. When you get mad or frustrated He wants to help you!





I Thessalonians 5:14- 18 NKJV Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. - See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

All Things Through Christ

As followers of Christ it is foolish to think we can take credit for any gift, or talent, or deed. He is the one who gives us gifts and talents and abilities.

 II Corinthians 3:5- Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,




*God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

Divine....coupon?

 Coupons "pay" some of the cost for grocery items. Some might even offer buy one get one free. Certain conditions apply.

But Jesus paid it all! All of it! He took our sins and nailed them to an old rugged cross and purchased a home, and not just any home but a mansion in heaven! And the only condition is to call on His name  Confessing Him as your Lord and believing in your heart that He rose again! *




*Romans 10:9-10that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

*Romans 3:23-24 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

You've Got The Power!

II Timothy 3:5 (NLT)  They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!


 I think many of us have taken  the word "power" to mean great and mighty things. But there is more to it.
 
The writer of  Proverbs gives us some insight:

*Proverbs 16:32 Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.  Wow think about that for a moment! Patience and self-control better is than power to conquer a city!

We have the power to change a potentially volatile situation around by demonstrating gentleness and patience! Look at another nugget of wisdom from Proverbs 15:1 (NLT) A gentle anger deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

Patience and goodness are a hallmark of the fruit of the spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!,


So the first step to being powerful  is take the time to be refreshed through prayer and meditation of the Word.  It's alive and powerful!

* Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
* I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.



*Matthew5:41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
*Romans 12:21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

A New Thought About Joy

I've started a new endeavor. One that I absolutely know will fail without the strength and help of the Lord. So in my devotions I asked the Lord for strength. A verse popped into my head. That in itself it not unusual because Jesus told us that He would send the Holy Spirit to remind us of what He had said.

The verse was... The joy of the Lord is my strength. (Neh 8:10 (b) That got me thinking. So many times I've thought the "the joy" being "my" joy. But what if that isn't all there is to it? What if "the joy" is His joy? Perhaps it's both.

  Take a look at what  Jeremiah said, (Jeremiah 15:16 TLB) When I discovered your words, I devoured them.They are my joy and my heart’s delight,for I bear your name,O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies

So... my joy comes from consuming the Word of God, taking it in and taking it to heart.  But there is more. If His joy is my strength I needed to understand more about His joy.

Common sense tells us that we love to give gifts to our children. Don't want to reward our children for good behavior or when they have overcome a bad attitude?Perhaps we want to reward them for bringing up good grades. A reward  could be a tangible gift or it could simply be a word of encouragement or a hug. Still we are delighted when our children do well. But on the other hand when correction is necessary that is never pleasant. It has to be done, but still it is done because we love them and want them to overcome.


So I am encouraged and I hope you will be too. Remember how much your heavenly Father loves you and He longs for a relationship with you.




*Matthew 7:11 So if you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children how much more with your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him.


* Proverbs 3:12 For the Lord corrects those whom He loves just as a father corrects a child in whom He delights.

 

Entitled

In the United states, at least we seem to have a sense of entitlement. Most of us grew up with a family that provided, even if meagerly all of the things we need. Clothes, shoes, food in our bellies and warm or cool places to sleep. We simply expect to have these blessings. We take them for granted. I find myself complaining that I don't know what to fix for supper but have a full refrigerator and pantry! I have complained about not knowing what to wear with a closet full of clothes!

One has only to watch television for an hour to see brand new shiny cars, clothes, restaurants, plastic surgeries and ways to find the perfect workout for perfect bodies.

Go to any restaurant and you will see people playing with their electronic devices rather than engaging in conversation with the people they are sitting with. Many people seem to be obsessed to post selfies.
 
 But there are so many things going on in are world today. Right now the people in Texas are suffering terribly because of hurricane Harvey. They are without homes, businesses and even basic necessities. The states of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina are bracing for hurricane Irma which is wider that the entire state of Florida. This hurricane has caused devastation in the Bahamas. There are wild fires in California. The serious threat of a nuclear war with North Korea. Just now on the news I heard about an earth quake in Mexico.

Call me crazy if you like but I believe these are signs of the times. It is time to repent. It's time to be thankful for what we have and be content when so many are doing without. It's time to have compassion for others and pray for them.








II 3:1-4   But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,


I Timothy 6:6-10 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.


I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


I Thessalonians 5:5-16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Grow Or You're Dead- Season of Pruning

If you 've ever had a garden or even a house plant you learn that the plants need to be pruned or they become spindly and unfruitful.

Sometimes we need a good spiritual pruning. During those times it may be hard to pray or study. But Jesus hears even  our whispered prayers and the Holy Spirit will bring  the Living Word to our memory. Rest assured that Jesus hears those whispered prayers.

Keep on whispering, turn off the television, get off the social media just for a while and take time to hear the still small voice. You will sense Him calling you to His presence and you will flourish once again!




John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

  James 4:7-8  Therefore submit 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.

 

 

The Shame of Mental Illness

There is a stigma attached to mental illnesses. Mental illnesses unlike many diseases are extremely hard to diagnose. They don't show up on x-rays or lab work. Because of this many people suffer for years without a proper diagnosis.

But mental illness is more common than you may think. Approximately one in five adults, 43.8 million or 18.5 percent of the population experiences mental illness in a given year.  Approximately one in twenty-five experience a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more of major life activities.

As believer's in Christ many who suffer from mood disorders also suffer from shame.  After all Christians are supposed to be happy. We are supposed to be joyful. These are true statements. Yet often times, those of us who suffer from depression or bi-polar disorder are told we need to pray more or quote more scripture, think positive,  don't speak negatively. We are told to snap out of it or that we don't need to take our medication.

Would we be so quick to judge someone for taking antibiotics for an ear infection, using an inhaler for asthma, someone who must used insulin or even taking medication for a headache? Yet tell someone you have bi-polar disorder and instantly they look at you differently!

Please realize that mood disorders are common, even to believers. And what we really need is grace from our brothers and sisters in Christ. Laugh with us! Cry with us! Hold our hands and hug our necks and by all means please pray for us.




Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid as it were our faces from Him. He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.


Matthew 25:40 “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Frenzy

 

 

Our lives seem so busy that, if we are not careful we can get bogged down. We forget to pray, don't take the time for even a quick devotional. Then we find ourselves in a frenzy trying to get things done, often failing or troubled because we didn't invite the Prince of Peace to share our day and give us peace and direction.( Having said that I do not claim that fleeting prayers should be our only communication with Jesus. He longs to speak to our hearts and spend time with us!)

But even a quick prayer of "Lord help me today to follow you and listen to your spirit, "invites His direction and presence. Lord will direct you if you ask. Some things won't make sense. But if you are like me you may get these thoughts about something you have been procrastinating.  I get the push to "Do it! Do it! Do it!"  Its like a pulse or a flashing light. And then there is the sense of restraint. It's what think of as the divine leash.Sometimes you must tighten the leash. Why is that important? It may keep us out of harm's way. Or it may keep us from harming others. Sometimes we may be directed to take a different route. Sometimes it may be looking for something we've misplaced.

 

 

*Proverbs 3-1-3; 5-6 My son, do not forget my law,  But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life  And peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you;  Bind them around your neck,  Write them on the tablet of your heart; Trust in the LORD with all your heart,  And lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.     John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Despair

Despair comes in many forms and most likely all of His children will at some point experience it.  When we are in despair the world is dark, frightening, painful and heavy. We may feel completely alone and abandoned. But no matter the situation,  our heavenly Father does not intend for us to handle it in our own strength.

When we despair we tend to look down and see no hope, and the despair becomes deeper and darker, and heavier will  continue the downward spiral. We must make the choice to look up and call on the name of the Lord!




Jeremiah 33:3  Call upon Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things you do not know!

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Falling

James 1:2-3 NKJV My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

As I read this passage this morning one word stuck out to me, "fall".  I have read this verse many times, probably you have too. But never has this one word stuck out to me this way.

To fall can mean to be encompassed by, or to meet. But it can mean actually falling. Sometimes, we think as believers we should never fall, but don't we?  Proverbs 24:16 NLT, (The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.) insinuates that we do.

We fall for many reasons. Falling may indeed be because we've sinned. Or maybe we are met by physical, emotional, financial or relational trials.

Do not be discouraged child of God! Take your burden to the Lord in prayer, knowing that you will rise in faith and walk on more patiently with the Lord.