Category: November2017

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The Gift of a Humble Heart

The last few mornings I have been reminding you of some of the wonderful gifts that our gracious, loving Father has given to us but now I’d like to ask you to consider giving a gift to Him.

I’m sure you have already started making your Christmas gift list. It’s something we all do…this for Mom, that for Dad, and the kids want the latest and the greatest.

But really the reason we give gifts at Christmas is because of the Father’s great gift to us that first Christmas. The gift of His love, wrapped in human form, bringing life and relationship to us all.

Look at your Christmas list again and see if you find the Father’s name on your list. That’s what I did this morning. I asked “Father, what would you like this Christmas season?” The answer came quickly.

“You don’t really want sacrifices, or I would give them to you. 17 The sacrifice that God wants is a humble spirit. God, you will not turn away someone who comes with a humble heart and is willing to obey you.” Psalm 51:16-17 ERV

The Father wants humble hearts. Hearts that are open to His leading. Hearts that have more room for Him and less room for self. We become selfish with our hearts when we’ve been hurt. We block out a part of our lives and leave it to harden – hardened against the memories and the pain.

But when we do that, we also block it off to the Father’s healing touch. Let me ask that we take time to ponder, meditate, think on strongly this. How many times have we hurt or ignored the Father? Has He closed off His heart to us? Has He refused to forgive even though we haven’t apologized?

No, never!

So the gift the Father desires from us is a heart willing to obey His word. He has told us we need to forgive 70×7. He has told us “to take no account of the evil done to us”. He has told us, if we come to Him he will heal our broken hearts – that means we let go of bitterness. We can love as He loves.

This morning, I see the Father urging us to bring Him our gifts of broken hearts, broken lives, broken dreams and letting Him, not just fix what’s broken, but give us new hearts, new lives, new dreams. Beauty for ashes. Joy to replace our mourning. A garment of praise for our heaviness.

“Pray to the Lord, and he will hear you. He will save you from all your troubles. 18 The Lord is close to those who have suffered disappointment. He saves those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:17-18 ERV

So start your Christmas Season. Start by giving what you have been holding back and then receive what He came to give. These verses tell us why Jesus came to earth:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is on me. The Lord has chosen me to tell good news to the poor and to comfort those who are sad. He sent me to tell the captives and prisoners that they have been set free. (2) He sent me to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness, when our God will also punish evil people. He has sent me to comfort those who are sad, (3) those in Zion who mourn. I will take away the ashes on their head, and I will give them a crown. I will take away their sadness, and I will give them the oil of happiness. I will take away their sorrow, and I will give them celebration clothes. He sent me to name them ‘Good Trees’ and ‘The Lord’s Wonderful Plant.’” Isaiah 61:1-3 ERV

Give the Father your gift of a humble heart. It will put a big smile on His face!

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The Gift of Strength

Don’t you love looking at the presents under the Christmas tree? There are all shapes and sizes, some in plain paper and others with big fancy bows. As a kid it was torture to have them out too early and yes I admit there was one year in particular that my sister and I opened some to see what was inside and then carefully wrapped them again.

The gift I’m giving you this morning also comes in all shapes and sizes and so I’ve included several boxes for you to open. I have for you this morning the gift of strength. Yes, strength. Lots of different examples in the Bible for you to see on this one.

Most notably we have Samson who destroyed God’s enemies with his great strength. But we must also be reminded of Noah who took on a huge construction project with just his 3 sons to help; David, a young shepherd who killed a lion, bear and a giant; Elijah, the prophet, who called down fire from heaven, defeated 400 prophets of Baal and outran Ahab’s chariot all in the same day. Then there was the woman who had bleeding condition for over 17 years and she faced a hostile crowd to get to Jesus; Paul was shipwrecked numerous times and was also beaten for his preaching but he kept going. Peter needed moral strength and failed when he denied Christ but went on to be a powerful preacher after the Lord forgave him.

The Bible is full of examples for people needing and finding strength; some was physical strength, while other strength came in the form of courage and mental fortitude. Some challenges were common and others were life threatening; sickness, emotional distress, financial ruin, failed relationships, fractured families, perilous circumstances.

Any of those sound familiar? God is so practical. He isn’t just concerned about the “religious” part of our lives, He desire is to fill every area of our life with His life changing relationship. I’m going to take a moment to run through a few Scripture verses on strength so bear with me.

“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” Isaiah 40:29 KJV

“The Lord is my strength. He saves me, and I sing songs of praise to him. He is my God, and I praise him. He is the God of my ancestors, and I honor him.” Exodus 15:2 ERV

“God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.” I Samuel 22:33 KJV

“Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.” Job 4:3

” God is the one who gives me strength. He clears the path I need to take.” Psalm 18:32 ERV

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 KJV

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

“The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.” Psalm 118:14

“But he replied, “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am.” II Corinthians 12:9 CEV

“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:13 ERV

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 KJV

Each verse is like opening another package – more treasures inside each one – more strength when it’s needed.

I don’t know what situations are working to deplete your strength today but I do know the one who steps in and takes over when we feel we have come to the end of what we can do. Instead of coming to the point of exhaustion start out by saying this little prayer.

“Father, today I don’t want to operate in my power. I’m prone to fail. I want to have Your strength in all that I do, in every situation I want to depend on You and Your abilities.”

Enjoy the gift of His strength!

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God’s Presence – Our Gift

I’ve really been reflecting on God’s presence in my life. How many times have I known that He was there when I was facing trouble? How many times has He kept me safe and rescued me while traveling on the freeway and the highways of our land? It is impossible for me to number or even remember all the times that He has protected me during my life.

Yes, His presence has truly been my gift.

I do remember one time that I would like to share. Dave and I were working 900 acres of alfalfa for an absentee owner. We did it all; the swathing, raking, baling and the roadsiding. Dave did the mechanical upkeep on the equipment while I kept house and raised two young children. We did have an irrigator and Dave did teach a lady to drive the roadside after we had been there for a while but between the two of us we did most all the work. The ranch we lived on was in the Arizona desert south of Phoenix about 60 miles in a little town called Arlington.

We started cutting hay when it was tall enough in March and didn’t quit until we got frost in December or January. During the hottest part of the summer we were cutting every 21 days and our average was 10 cuttings a year. We didn’t have the equipment that put out the big round bales. Our balers popped out little loaves of 110 pound bales. We ran night and day. Have you ever heard the expression you can’t make hay while the sun shines, well in Arizona that’s very true. You have to bale at night when you have enough dew to make the alfalfa soft and moist so the leaves don’t fall off in the baling process.

Dave and I spent hours on equipment and we used that time to listen to cassette tapes of good Bible teaching. It kept us alert and we were feeding our souls at the same time. We had heard this one Bible verse and were definitely ready to put it to practice:

“I have given you the power to trample on snakes and scorpions and to defeat the power of your enemy Satan. Nothing can harm you.” Luke 10:19 CEV

If you’re familiar with desert life this is a tremendous verse. At this ranch we had scorpions but we had an abundance of rattlesnakes in our fields. One night Dave needed to change the irrigation water. I went with him and as he was walking down the ditch bank with his flashlight he stepped right on the back of a rattler. That snake didn’t strike but instead crawled away. Yes, God’s presence was our gift!

There are many more examples that I could share but in a small way it was there that we realized the God who delivered a young David from the giant Goliath, a Daniel in the lion’s den, 3 Hebrew teenagers in a fiery furnace, a young Esther in the palace of a king, a baby Moses in the Nile River, an unnamed demonic on the hillside, a harlot, a prostitute, a ship full of sailors, etc. is the same God and Father who kept us safe from harm.

“Your Spirit is everywhere I go. I cannot escape your presence. 8 If I go up to heaven, you will be there. If I go down to the place of death, you will be there.” Psalm 139:7-8 ERV

There’s no where that we go that God’s presence isn’t there with us.

“God is our mighty fortress, always ready (present) to help in times of trouble. 2 And so, we won’t be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea. 3 Let the ocean roar and foam, and its raging waves shake the mountains.” Psalm 46:1-3 CEV

“Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories.” Isaiah 41:10 CEV

“Jacob, the Lord created you. Israel, he made you, and now he says, “Don’t be afraid. I saved you. I named you. You are mine. 2 When you have troubles, I am with you. When you cross rivers, you will not be hurt. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not hurt you. 3 That’s because I, the Lord, am your God. I, the Holy One of Israel, am your Savior…”Isaiah 43:1-3 ERV

Flood, fire, freeways – scorpions, snakes, shipwreck, whatever it is God is there and His promises are as real for us as they were when they were written.

Open the gift of God’s presence! It’s a place of great joy.

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The Gift of Rest

Are you like me – you have a list of that needs to be done and you cross things off as you go? Then I get down to a few things left I rewrite the list and add more. It seems the list never ends!

This can be so draining and it seems there is no time to rest. I remember once years ago I prayed and said Lord, could you please give me 27 hours in my day? You can leave everyone else with the 24 but it would be great to have a few extra hours. The answer I got came immediately, “No! Because you wouldn’t use them to rest, you’d just fill them with more work.”

The Lord set us a wonderful example from the very beginning, He rested! He worked creating all that we see and enjoy and He rested! Then when the Law was being given to the Israelites after they came out of Egypt they were told to rest. Keep the Sabbath which meant no work. It was time to rest and reflect on the Lord and His goodness. We are pretty good about keeping the other 10 Commandments but we gloss over or ignore completely that God commanded us to keep the Sabbath. He knew we need rest!

It isn’t even December 1st and I’m sure some of you have your calendar filled right up to Christmas Day. So much to do, so many things that have to be just perfect. But in all the planning and activity you lose sight of the true peace that God brought to us all. We need to rest and let God’s presence restore our soul! Do you see that – the word “restore” – what are the first four letters “rest”. We are restored by resting.

“Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. 29 Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest.” Matthew 11:28-29 ERV

When Jesus was here on earth he would often go away by himself to rest and pray. He found strength in prayer. We need to learn from Him on how to release our burdens and rest in God’s strength and power.

“I will always look to you, as you stand beside me and protect me from fear. 9 With all my heart, I will celebrate, and I can safely rest.” Psalm 16:8-9 CEV

One of the biggest causes of stress is fear. Take a look at it – fear that things won’t get done correctly or in time, fear that we won’t be understood in what we are trying to convey, fear that someone else will get the promotion or make the team or surpass us on the project. Fear. But when we focus on God’s presence being ALWAYS with us we can celebrate and rest.

“You protect ordinary people, and when I was helpless, you saved me 7 and treated me so kindly that I don’t need to worry anymore. 8 You, Lord, have saved my life from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.” Psalm 116:6-8 CEV

One translation of verse 7 says “return to rest”.

May I encourage you to take time to rest this Christmas Season. Rest by remembering the message of the angels on that first Christmas night “Good news of great joy”. Rest in the memories of special Christmases past, things weren’t perfect, mishaps happened but the love of Christ filled your home and your heart.

Or maybe you have never really enjoyed Christmas. It just seemed like all the hustle and hype left you lonely or even angry. This year take time to “rest” and learn from the Lord what a wondrous time of year it is, if you ask Him, he’ll show you.

I want to close with the words from an old Christmas carol that seem so very appropriate

God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s pow’r
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy

I truly hope you are enjoying opening the presents of Christmas each morning and I encourage you to share them with your friends.

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Gift of Joy

Yesterday I was talking at length with a friend who is going through a very trying time. They were hoping they were at a place in life where there would be more joy and less struggle. Don’t we all. The more we talked, I remembered the verses from James that I have quoted many times.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations” James 1:2 KJV

How is that possible? Be joy-full when things are coming at you hard? Be joy-full when life’s circumstances seem overwhelming? This is how those verses go on…

“My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. 3 You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. 4 But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.

5 If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.” James 1:2-5 CEV

It’s possible to be joyful and at peace in the middle of the mess when we have God’s wisdom and have confidence in Him that we will come out better on the other side. We aren’t joy-full for the problems but can certainly we overcome with joy knowing that God will never allow us to be destroyed by them but will instead walk through them with us.

“Keep your lives free from the love of money. And be satisfied with what you have. God has said,

“I will never leave you;
I will never run away from you.”

6 So we can feel sure and say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
People can do nothing to me.” Hebrews 13:5-6 ERV

Money can’t buy peace or joy, in fact pursuing it can be one of the reasons we are so exhausted and stressed out. Do you see that phrase “be satisfied with what you have”? What we have is God! He is definitely more than enough for every situation. He isn’t going anywhere. He won’t desert us or leave us to flounder alone in life.

So as I was talking to my friend, I told them they should be laughing and smiling in the face of their situation – let God have the control of it. Then after the conversation was over I remembered another verse that I had never tied together with the verses in James.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:10-14 KJV

Tidings of great joy! Christ was born to bring good will between God and man. Jesus came so we could see the love that God has for us lived out through His life. He certainly had difficult times, times of trial, times of trouble. He looked past that to the joy on the other side of the cross.

“We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:2 ERV

Are we going to have trials and difficulties? Yes. Do they have to deplete our reservoir of joy and peace? Certainly not!

Open your gift of joy today! I would suggest you go to the Biblegateway app and put the word joy in the search bar. God has a lot to say about joy.

Let it sink in that God will never leave, never abandon you, never desert you! Let that knowledge fill you with joy!

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Gift of Kindness

Sometimes you just know what you need to say and then circumstances around you back it up. That’s how I feel this morning.

Last night Dave and I were watching TV and saw a commercial we have seen 100’s of times before. You know, it’s the one where the young adults are walking out the door of a building and there’s a mother with a stroller coming out behind them. The door closes before she gets through and one young man looks around and then goes back to hold it open for her. See you know exactly which one I’m talking about.

Well Dave asked me last night, “why did that kid have to stop and think about holding the door for her? It’s a no brainer.” That used to be true but these days so many are caught up in their own lives they don’t take time to be helpful, considerate or kind. It’s not a no brainer. Writing a note of appreciation, saying thank you, being patient in the checkout line, giving someone the parking space, helping someone in need, supporting someone who is hurting – these should all be commonplace but they aren’t.

When I went to the Bible Gateway app this morning the verse of the day on their home page was this:

“Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:17 ERV

Everything…everything we do should be done for Jesus! With this thought in mind it certainly helps us in our fast to avoid criticism and complaining. Now look at what Jesus said about kindness.

“Then the king will say to the godly people on his right, ‘Come, my Father has great blessings for you. The kingdom he promised is now yours. It has been prepared for you since the world was made. 35 It is yours because when I was hungry, you gave me food to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I had no place to stay, you welcomed me into your home. 36 When I was without clothes, you gave me something to wear. When I was sick, you cared for me. When I was in prison, you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the godly people will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you with no place to stay and welcome you into our home? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?’

40 “Then the king will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.” Matthew 25:34-40 ERV

It’s important that we realize our lives have purpose and meaning. It may not be that we become famous and the world knows our name and our accomplishments. It is important, however, that they know our kindness and compassion. Jesus said that the world will know we are his disciples because of our love. If you need motivation for loving others take a look at this last verse.

“Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ.” Ephesians 4:32 ERV

Kindness is a gift that you can give freely to everyone you meet but it isn’t cheap.

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This Little Light

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine! This was a little chorus I sang in Sunday School as a little girl. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

I am thankful today for those that have been a light to me. How about you? Do you remember a kindness, a word of encouragement, someone who stopped to pray when you were in need? That “light” shined brightly for you and I’m sure gave you reason to be grateful that you weren’t in this life alone.

“People don’t hide a lamp under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand. Then the light shines for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:15-16 ERV

We’ve just celebrated Thanksgiving and I truly hope it was that. A time of giving thanks and we are now looking forward to the Christmas season. It’s important that we let our little lights shine during this time of year. I heard someone recently say it’s time to go on a fast. No, they weren’t making reference to all the food that was consumed yesterday or the leftovers that will be enjoyed again today and this weekend but the fast they were asking for is a fast of critical and harsh words.

“14 Do everything without complaining or arguing 15 so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault. But you are living with evil people all around you, who have lost their sense of what is right. Among those people you shine like lights in a dark world” Philippians 2:14-15 ERV

Our words are some of the most precious gifts we can give – words of love and kindness, encouragement and understanding, words free from criticism and condemnation. Oh, I would love to have a letter filled with kind words and heart felt expression much more than the latest and greatest gift the retailers are offering. And it’s just not our words to or about others, we also need to fast the critical words we speak about ourselves as well. We are God’s creation, He loves us and has given each of us special talents and abilities and so we should be focusing on His love and not our faults and failings.

Will you join me in a 30 day fast? That will take us right up to Christmas Day. What a wonderful gift to give to those around you – a season free of criticism and complaining! And if we fail, let’s stop quickly and repent, then go forward with new determination.

In all the hustle and bustle of the holiday preparation let your light shine. Someone out there needs to experience the genuine love and caring that God has put in your heart! Put in a 150watt bulb and go out into the world today!

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The Centerpiece of Life

This past month as I have been sharing on Thanksgiving I have found many images of beautiful centerpieces. There are even some sites that list 29 DIY centerpieces or 24 DIY Thanksgiving projects. Got me to thinking – the best centerpieces should probably be labeled GIY.

God I Yield!

We all have those DIY projects but what would be your #1 GIY project? The one thing that you know you should yield or the one thing you know you need help with more than anything else. Maybe you’re afraid to yield control of that area or do you think that God wouldn’t be interested in helping. Oh but He’s certainly interested and more than willing to show you how He would like to craft your life into a beautiful setting.

I am so thankful for the Father’s amazing love.  I didn’t do anything to desire it and I can’t do anything to lose it – that’s because it’s unconditional. But I can thank Him daily for His love, His mercy, and His grace! I can allow Him to control the center of my being.

Give thanks to the Lord because he is good.
His faithful love will last forever.
35 Say to him,
“Save us, God our Savior.
Bring us back together,
and save us from the other nations.
Then we will give thanks to your holy name
and joyfully praise you.” I Chronicles 16:34-35 ERV

Father God my heart is filled with thanksgiving for your great love and abundant grace. I thank you for friends who are family and family who are friends, they have enriched my life. Thank you for sharing your love with me through their kindnesses and I pray that I have shared your love with them by my love.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I pray that God’s grace is the center piece on each table.

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Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat!!

Maybe some of you who are younger will have never heard this phrase but when I was growing up it was used frequently to express surprise, unexpected news, shock, etc.

The phrase Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat comes from the Bible. Really? Yes Really.

I wanted to share this insight again this year because many in our world don’t think they have very much to be thankful for; for some there is no “happy” in thanksgiving. So let’s look at someone who really had no reason to be celebrating, no reason for joy and see if it can impact your life the way it did his.

Let’s look at Jehoshaphat.

“Messengers told Jehoshaphat, “A large army from Edom east of the Dead Sea has invaded our country. They have already reached En-Gedi.” 3 Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he asked the Lord what to do. He then told the people of Judah to go without eating to show their sorrow. 4 They immediately left for Jerusalem to ask for the Lord’s help.” II Chronicles 20:2-4 CEV

Our first response to bad news should be to pray and ask the Lord to help. Now look at the answer he received from the Lord. If you read the whole chapter you will find that the Lord told the king to praise Him and He would fight their battle.

“Then he explained his plan and appointed men to march in front of the army and praise the Lord for his holy power by singing:

“Praise the Lord!
His love never ends.”

22 As soon as they began singing, the Lord confused the enemy camp, 23 so that the Ammonite and Moabite troops attacked and completely destroyed those from Edom. Then they turned against each other and fought until the entire camp was wiped out!” verses 21-23 CEV

So let me ask you again, what’s your battle? Health, finances, relationships? Can’t be any bigger than facing an outnumbering army that was going to overrun you country and kill your citizens and take you captive. God is still the same! Praise Him as you face your battle.

“May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;
may his foes flee before him.

2 May you blow them away like smoke—
as wax melts before the fire,
may the wicked perish before God.

3 But may the righteous be glad
and rejoice before God;
may they be happy and joyful.

4 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
extol him who rides on the clouds[b];
rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.

5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.” Psalm 68:1-5 NIV

The reason for being thankful isn’t for what you have but more for whose you are! We all will face unsurmountable problems at one time or another in life, that’s part of living on this planet. However, the reason for joy and thanksgiving comes from knowing that we’re not doing this alone, but we have a loving God who will go before us and fight the battle. When we seek Him, he’s there and he will always provide the help we need.

Now that’s a reason to Jump for Joy!

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First Give Thanks

Thanksgiving is coming soon and there is so much preparation still to be done. Groceries to buy, miles to be driven, pies to bake, turkey to prepare and cleaning to be done – but in all of this it’s important that we don’t lose sight of why we celebrate on the 4th Thursday of November.

I’m one of those who try to image myself being in the situation; you know, I try to see what it must have been like to be with Noah on the ark, standing on the bank of the Red Sea when it parted, being with the shepherds when the angels announced Jesus birth, standing at the foot of the cross during the crucifixion. Yes, being there for all of those and then also imagining what it must have been like at that first Thanksgiving.

These people had faced devastating trials during the first year in the new world. Peril by crossing the sea that cost so many lives, disease, malnutrition, harsh weather conditions, lack of knowledge of their surroundings and perils from the inhabitants of this land. They gave all they had to make this new world their home – some lost their spouses and children to death, heartbroken they had to continue to press on or die themselves. They had to build shelters and plant gardens. Their survival that first year was truly a time to give thanks! It was their belief in worshipping God freely that brought them here and so it was an expression of their very lives to stop and thank Him for His provision and protection one year later.

I don’t really think they looked like the people in this painting. I don’t image after that first year that their clothing was this clean and bright or that their cheeks were quite this rosy and beards so well groomed. But I do image that what they may have lacked in outward appearance was overshadowed by the gratitude they felt in their hearts.

“Father, you so graciously brought those pilgrims through a year of hardship and struggle in this new land. They came with a desire to worship freely and seeking to build a land where men were equal. They willingly faced the perils of sea and land; weather and wild but they persevered with Your help and the help of their new found allies. Our hearts are grateful that because of their sacrifice we are able to call this land home.

We are also grateful that because of the sacrifice of Jesus we can call heaven home and spend eternity in Your presence. We are dependent on You and Your direction for our lives as much as those early settlers that came to Plymouth Rock. We come to our Rock, the solid rock, Christ Jesus and in Him we find life.

Our desire is to let the light of Jesus shine from us so brightly that the world may see your great love. Our prayer to You, in Jesus name.”

The Apostle Paul desired that the light of the gospel, the good news, shine through him and through us.

“We are not preaching about ourselves. Our message is that Jesus Christ is Lord. He also sent us to be your servants. 6 The Scriptures say, “God commanded light to shine in the dark.” Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ. 7 We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. 8 We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. 9 In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again. 10-11 We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so that his life can also be seen in us. 12 This means that death is working in us, but life is working in you.” II Corinthians 4:5-12 CEV

Paul experienced the death of his daily needs and desires – comfort, security, safety, freedom; so that he could bring the message of new life in Christ to the world. Jesus sacrificed the desires and needs of his life to provide salvation and Paul was willing to continue to take that message around the known world.

As we finish our preparations for time with family and friends, let’s remember to do the same. When we’re tired, hungry, inconvenienced by long lines and irritable people, let’s let the light of Jesus shine through us to bring the power of God to others. In us is the light of God wanting to shine for all the world to see!

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