Thanksgiving

"Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;

make known among the nations what he has done."

1 Chronicles 16:8 NIV

Positive outcome of surgery.

Turnaround in dismal financial outlook.

Relief of physical pain and suffering.

Hope of heaven and eternity with Jesus.

Protection during long road trip.

It's easy to praise God for such things and it's good to give Him the glory for such feats.  When I think of praising Him and thanking Him for all He has done, though, it's usually about something that relates to me.  In other words, I mostly give thanks when things go well for me.

There is so much more for which to give thanks to God besides acknowledging Him when things go right.  When David and the people of Israel had successfully delivered the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, King David appointed the people to give thanks to the Lord.  In his instructions to the people of God, he modeled for us a way to give thanks to God for who He is, in a way that is both meaningful to us and treasured by Him.   It's easy to thank God for what He's given, but there is more to this attitude of thanksgiving.

Glory.  "What's in a name?  That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."  Juliet made the point to the object of her affections, Romeo, that it mattered not that he came from a family who was at war with hers.  Instead, she insisted, it is the person behind the name that really matters.  While this sentiment is true to a point, there is much meaning found in God's holy name.

Therefore, I can spend some time basking in the greatness of the name of the Lord.  In comparison to any other name ever given, God's rises far above (Psalm 8:1).  His name is a strong tower that protects me in times of trouble.  (Proverbs 18:10)  There is power found in the name of Jesus, sending demons to trembling and adding clout to my prayers (Philippians 2:10-11, John 14:13-14).  Simply put, His name deserves my attention and there is no greater reason to rejoice than in His name (Psalm 29:2).

While I tend to give thanks to God for what He has done, I can step out of myself and glory in His name.

Seek.  Moses begged Him.  Even though it went way beyond what anyone had ever asked from Him, the Lord partially granted his request, allowing Moses to see the backside of His glory.  (Exodus 33:18)

Moses knew that God's presence was what set the people of Israel apart from every other nation.  He also realized that if God didn't go with them, as He had threatened, they wouldn't make it far.  (Exodus 33:3, 12-13)  Moses realized his absolute dependence upon the Lord.

But there was more.  Moses desired to see God above all else.  He craved God's glory, yearning to see His face and revel in His presence.  Moses longed after God in the same way a living creature pants for water (Psalm 42:1).

While I tend to give thanks to God for what He has done for me, I can step outside of myself and seek His presence as most my precious possession.

Remember.  The list is long.  If I pay attention as I live my life, it grows longer each day.  While I read His Word, I add even more to it's length.  There is no end to His marvelous deeds, miraculous wonders and judgments uttered (1 Chronicles 16:12).

There is no doubt that God is great!  As I live my life, getting caught up in difficult circumstances and the stress of day-to-day living, however, it's easy to lose sight of His power and magnitude.  This is why it is so important to earnestly remember God's greatness.  

He spoke all things into existence, calmed the storm with a word, and proclaimed the sin of mankind wiped away (Genesis 1, Mark 4:39, John 19:30).  Such power is found in His Word, but how much more is found in His deeds!  He defends those who put their trust in Him, heals those who believe He is able, and transforms grief into gladness (Psalm 91:14, Mark 10:51-52, Isaiah 61:2-3).

Knowing who God is and what He is capable of doing by remembering what He has already done gives encouragement to my disheartened soul but also pleases Him.

It is important to give thanks to God for all He has provided in my life.  There is more, however, for which I can praise Him.  I can glory in His name, seek His presence as vital to my welfare, and remember all He has accomplished.  In these ways, I honor God for who He is, not just how He has benefited me.  In this way I can exhibit an attitude of thanksgiving.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can think beyond myself, praising god for who He is.

When do I focus only on me, and how God benefits my life?

How can I help myself make the effort to admire God for His great character?

Wake Up!

"To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits

of God and the seven stars.

I know your deeds;

you have a reputation of being alive,

but you are dead.

Wake up!

Strengthen what remains and is about to die,

for I have found your deeds unfinished

in the sight of my God.

Remember, therefore,

what you have received and heard;

hold it fast, and repent.

But if you do not wake up,

I will come like a thief,

and you will not know at what time I will come to you."

Revelation 3:1-3

She had a reputation for being confident and assured.  People went to her for advice because she always seemed so certain, quick to point others in the way she thought they should go.  She owned her own business and dabbled in local politics.  When most people in the small town thought of someone who had it all together, they thought of this woman.

In reality, her heart quaked at the thought of being alone and she constantly second-guessed her decisions.  Her opinion of herself was low and most would be surprised to find out she didn't like herself all that much.

In the same way that my friend's reputation before mankind was an illusion, so I must ask myself if what others see in me is the same as what God perceives in my heart.  It is easy to be busy doing what I think I should do and act in the way I distinguish as how a faithful, godly person should act, but what is the reality as God sees and judges?

Thankfully, there are some steps that will bring me back to completion in God's sight.

Remember

"I forgot!"  It has been a common excuse used by our daughters when disobeying.  While I found this to be exasperating as the girls were growing up since I knew they possessed the potential for a higher level of responsibility, I had to admit that I exercise the same defense when it comes to following Jesus.

Many times I know the teachings of Jesus since I study them on a daily basis, but I fail to apply them to my own life.  As a result, I lash out at my loved ones in anger when I am disappointed instead of taking the warning of Psalm 37:8 to heart.  Or I practice "keepin' it real" with my friends but I leave out the part about doing it with love. (Ephesians 4:15)  Or I build up resentment toward those who hurt me and are bent on my destruction while Jesus wants me to let it go and lift those adversaries up in prayer.  (Matthew 6:14, Matthew 5:44)

Other times I live so much in the flesh that I let my natural reaction serve as my guide instead of going after the Truth.  Then I find myself adhering to a religion instead of following my Good Shepherd, trying to shape myself into who I think I should be instead of letting the power of God do the transforming work.  (2 Timothy 3:5, John 10:14, Romans 12:2)

In order for God to find my heart complete, it is important that I remember what He has taught me.

Obey

My friend uses a catchy motto to remind herself who she was in Christ.  It goes something like this:  "I'm a human being, not a human doing."  In the same way that Jesus revered Mary's desire to spend time with Him as the better choice over her sister Martha's focus on finishing all the preparations (Luke 10:38-42), He looks for a heart that is compliant and ready to follow Him. (Luke 4:18-22)

While my heart is what is important to God, not my deeds, it is my willingness to do as He says that reveals the inclination of my heart.  (1 Samuel 15:22)  Oswald Chambers makes this distinction in My Utmost for His Highest devotional.  He writes, "We count as service what we do in the way of Christian work; Jesus Christ calls service what we are to Him, not what we do for Him."

I can't work my way into His good graces and I can't expect to please God by simply doing what I think is right.  Instead, it is a love for His teachings and a desire to comply that brings joy to my Father's heart. (John 14:15)  He desires a pliable heart that is willing to let go of my own ways and adopt His instead. (Psalm 51:17)

In order for God to find my heart complete, it is important that I obey Him without reserve.

Repent

The new skier was on a route headed for destruction.  While she could see she was on a collision course with another skier, she didn't yet possess the skills to be able to change her heading.  Consequently, the young woman crashed into the other student.  Thankfully, they were both moving at a slow rate of speed so the injuries were negligible   The lesson learned, however, was powerful.  

When I see myself traveling in the wrong direction, the only way I can avoid crashing and burning is to change my present heading.  I must turn away from traditions that are empty and meaningless, setting my sights instead upon pleasing the Lord in the way I live every part of my life.  (Isaiah 1:10-17, Romans 12:1)  If I'm caught up in doing things out of obligation instead of obedience to God's direct calling on my life, then it is time for me to change my focus.

A shameless heart will continue doing the things I know to be wrong while making an effort to look godly on the outside.  An unrepentant spirit also shows it's colors in my lack of attention to the areas of sin in my life God is pointing out as unacceptable.  I must also be careful not to drift in my walk, but to make a conscious effort to keep reaching out to my Source of power and direction. (John 15:5)

In order for God to find my heart complete, it is important that I keep my heading programmed on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:1-12)

It is easy to slip into an easy way of living where I drift along aimlessly.  As one dedicated to following Jesus, however, I must wake up!  God sees the real condition of my heart so I would please Him by remembering His teachings, obeying His Word, and repenting from all that He despises.  In these ways my heart will appear as complete before Him.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep focused on Jesus.

How do I let my own flesh lead me instead of following Jesus?

When am I most in danger of slipping into mindless traditions?