We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction.
Category Archives: Glorifying God
Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could live comfortable, well adjusted lives. His purpose is far deeper: He wants to make us like himself before he takes us to heaven. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility, and our ultimate destiny.
Mighty vs. Might
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“And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, ‘Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.’” Luke 21:1-4
In the wake of Billy Graham’s departure from this world, the atmosphere seems a tad darker. He was truly a mighty man of God who was used to reach all levels of society around the globe. Not only did he touch the lives of many great and influential people not the least of which were several US presidents, but he also touched the lives of the humble such as my grandmother who accepted Christ sitting in her apartment watching one of his crusades on her television. In that light, take a look at the picture described in Luke 21. A poor woman who has next to nothing is noticed by the Lord of all that exists. He doesn’t look down on her as someone who is insignificant. Quite the opposite, He recognizes that her small offering or her “mite” is a mighty act of faith as she is giving all that she has; He acknowledges that she has contributed more than those who have given much larger offerings out of their surplus. When I consider the opportunities, wealth, talents or spiritual gifts of the mighty and those with no more than a mite, three points come to mind: jealousy, attitude and value.
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Your Father knows your gifts, your hindrances, and the condition you’re in at every moment. And He also knows something you can’t possibly know–every single person who’s in desperate need of receiving His touch through you.
Clay Pots Revisited
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For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Producing art, whether for functional use, aesthetic value, or some combination of the two, takes effort and skill. In my youth I used to tool leather. I made belts, purses, bible covers, etc. At times I used kits, regularly I used precut pieces such as belt blanks while the remainder of the time I started with a piece of tanned hide. Obviously the latter required the most effort in that I had to decide what I was making, its intended purpose, its shape, and its dimensions. From there the cutting had to be precise which was not easy with a utility knife. Once cut, the leather had to be moistened to keep it pliable so that the stamping and carving could be done properly and evenly. After being tooled it had to be died and finished. Each piece was unique and an investment of time, effort, and creativity. The process was a very faint imitation of how God has created each of us.
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A man may be perfected through suffering or be made worse through suffering; it depends on his disposition.
Oswald Chambers
The Quotable Oswald Chambers (Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishers, 2008), 281
The Quotable Oswald Chambers (Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishers, 2008), 281
Our Temples Revisited
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“They assembled their brothers, consecrated themselves, and went in to cleanse the house of the Lord, according to the commandment of the king by the words of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 29:15
It’s February and for this month I’m doing a “best of” series to allow time for me to update the website, get ahead on some writing and spend some time on my soul. In a sense these plans are a type of resolution. By now some people are still pressing on with New Year’s resolutions, some are faltering, and still others have given up. Resolutions vary widely but common ones are getting organized, taking better care of their bodies, overcoming bad habits and seeking better attitudes in the New Year. Some are successful while others are not. The difference is diligence and fortitude.
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Renewal
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“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
My wife and I went to the gym on New Year’s Day to work off some of the holiday calories. While there, I observed the eclectic mix of people. There were familiar folks who, like me, are there on a regular basis; there were some who, like my wife, are less regular due to a busy schedule and used the holiday as an opportunity to get in a good workout; and then there were those who were clearly new to the gym, but who have most likely decided to try to exercise more in 2018. After all, it is that time of year for resolutions. We see the New Year as a time to start fresh and seek to improve our lifestyle in various ways. However the success achieved will depend on the driving force behind the desire for change. As Christians we’re called to daily renewal and transformation so that we live in a manner that is honoring to God and a blessing to us…it is a better way and a way to flourish. No matter what changes we seek to make in our lives, for us to accomplish our goals or to simply live well, we need to maintain our focus in three areas: our renewal must be God centered, we must be engaged and we must maintain a proper attitude.
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If this is to be a Happy New Year, a year of usefulness, a year in which we shall live to make this earth better, it is because God will direct our pathway. How important then, to feel our dependence upon Him!
Christmas is based on an exchange of gifts, the gift of God to man – His unspeakable gift of His Son, and the gift of man to God – when we present our bodies a living sacrifice.