Thanking God

“You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. “And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. “But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, when the LORD your God has blessed you,“then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses. “And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household.  Deuteronomy 14:22-26.  NKJV

This week most of us will celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving, an annual day of celebration begun by our country’s first Pilgrim settlers.  Their intent was to thank God for His provision after their very difficult first year in their new land.  Many believe that this celebration was modeled after the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, also an annual feast of celebration instituted by God as we read in this passage from Deuteronomy.  If you take the time to examine the similarities, it does appear as if that certainly could be the case.

While many might be of the opinion that in this country Christmas is the most anticipated holiday of the year, for the Israelites, it was the Feast of Tabernacles that they looked forward to the most.  While many of us are familiar with what we call in this country a “block party”, can you imagine what it would be like if the entire country gathered in one city for an entire week of feasting and celebration?  At this Feast, every Jew that was physically able to travel, came to Jerusalem and built a shelter or booth on whatever piece of vacant land they could find.  They would then live in them for one week to commemorate their ancestors living in the wilderness for forty years.

They brought with them their tithes and offerings that they had been saving up for a year and then cooked and feasted in celebration of God’s goodness to them in the past year.  It was, quite literally, a national celebration of thanksgiving for the bounty that God provided to them.  You can see how many have come to the conclusion that our holiday of Thanksgiving was modeled after this feast of Israel considering the pilgrims too, chose the same time of the year to celebrate the same blessings God had provided to them.

What I would consider to be the most important point of both these celebrations, however, is the fact that the people were thanking God as the source of provision rather than celebrating their own toil and effort.  As we look around at our world today it is very apparent there is an attitude of pride in the accomplishments and advances we as a people are making rather than giving credit where credit is due.  As believers we should realize and acknowledge that while we work and put forth the effort, it is God who chooses to give us the ability and opportunity to succeed.

The first year that our forefathers spent in this country was an extremely difficult one and you can be sure that their efforts at survival took every bit of time and effort that they had.  Yet at the end of the year they chose to take the time to thank God for their success acknowledging that without His help it never would have happened. My hope is that we too would follow our ancestors example and choose to thank God for all that He has done for us this past year.

Of course, the greatest gift God has given to us, and the one to be most thankful for, is the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ as payment for our sin.  Believing He died and rose again allows us the opportunity to spend eternity with Him in heaven enjoying all that He has chosen to provide for us.  If you are reading this today and have never made the decision to accept Jesus Christ into your heart and accept the free gift of eternal life He has offered you, I urge you to do so right now. You can do that by praying this prayer and accepting the gift of eternal life God has offered you by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

Dear Father in heaven, I believe in your son Jesus. I believe that He died on the cross for my sins, that He rose up from the grave, and that my sins are forgiven.  Forgive me of my sin, help me to walk with you, and thank you for saving me. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Deliver Me

“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”  Romans 7:24  NKJV

 

One of the advantages, if you can call it that, about growing old is the perspective one gets while watching your body slowly change from the strong vibrancy of youth to a weaker more frail version.  Once upon a time I saw a poster with a picture of an elderly weightlifter with the caption “growing old is not for sissies”, something I can now fully appreciate.  It appears that no matter how hard you try, growing old and experiencing the complications that come with it are inevitable. While studying this passage written by Paul, I was surprised to find that the Greek word rhyomai, used for “deliver” here means “to draw to one's self, to rescue, to deliver”.  In essence, Paul is describing his feelings about living in this body in this present world, as desperately needing to be rescued.

 

“Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; “and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face.”     Deuteronomy 7:9-10  NKJV

 

I have heard and read the feelings of many in the body lately which certainly show desperation to be rescued much like Paul has described.  To be sure, I too am finding myself entertaining these feelings of desperation wondering how long it is going to be before we the Church hear the call to come home.  It almost becomes frustrating listening to so many express their convictions that we are on the doorstep yet we are still here waiting and watching.  Watching the direction this world in general and this country in particular are going, I simply cannot help but echo the lament of many of the Old Testament saints; “How long O Lord?”. 

 

“My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O LORD--how long? Return, O LORD, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies' sake!”    Psalm 6:3-4 NKJV

 

As I have considered all that we have seen occur lately, especially the left embracing ever more radical positions, along with the increasing violence and rhetoric, I couldn’t help but remember Jesus describing the last days as resembling the “Days of Noah” in Matthew 24. One question that has always puzzled me about the inhabitants of the days of Noah is the fact that it would appear they either had absolutely no clue that their actions were an offense to the God of the universe, or if they did, they somehow believed God would allow their offenses to go unpunished.  Not to mention the fact that God had the patience to wait until Noah and his family were the last believers on earth!

 

It follows then that this past week my thoughts concerning our country and some of its leaders, as well as the events unfolding around the world, somehow began to remind me of this same question. Does the majority of this nation, and the world as a whole, actually believe their decisions do not offend God, or do they simply believe God will do nothing to show His displeasure? On the other hand, the more I read, the more it appears that many believers are of the opinion that God has indeed already begun to remind us that He alone is omnipotent and is perfectly willing to judge those who offend Him. Yet, like David, it's hard not to ask God...”how long”?

 

Something I have been passionate about over the years is my personal study of the Old Testament.  It probably has something to do with my interest in history, which was my major in college, but I have always enjoyed studying events from our past.  There are many reasons to study the Old Testament, but one I regard as my primary motivation is that it is the best way I know to learn about, and begin to understand, the nature of God.  The books of the Old Testament are full of passages where God tells us what He is like, and also reveals His nature to us.  I believe the better we begin to know God, the more reassured we can be about what we see as we watch where the world is going today.  Paul seemed to understand this when he wrote the following passage in the book of Romans.

 

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”                        Romans 15:4  NKJV

 

You might ask, hope in what?  Obviously we are concerned with our own deliverance, but we can also rest assured that God will, in His own time, judge the world for its actions. Our God is a just God, and He will never let sin go unpunished. He has judged in the past, and He will judge again in the future. We can ask “how long” with the knowledge that although we are waiting, and most likely impatiently, God promises to do His will.  God has a plan, and a timetable for administering it.  It is up to us to persevere, and trust in God’s faithfulness.

 

“Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end [intended by] the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”    James 5:11 NKJV

 

Personally, what helps me the most is the knowledge of “the end intended by the Lord”. David may have prayed to the Lord expressing his sorrows and frustrations, but he always ended by acknowledging the fact that he knew that not only God was faithful, He also had a plan and it would unfold just as He ordained. I have often shared that I enjoy studying the life of David because while God described him as a “man after my own heart”, it is also obvious that David suffered from the same emotions we often do and was perfectly willing to share them with God.

 

“To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, [Having] sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?”    Psalm 13:1-2 NKJV

 

I don’t believe we as believers should be shy about sharing our sorrow and frustrations with God because after all, doesn't He already know what we are feeling?  He understands our emotions and what we are feeling and if we share that with Him, He will hear our cry.  It is also important to note that not only does He hear, He will respond to our crying out to Him.

 

“Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, When He heard their cry; And for their sake He remembered His covenant, And relented according to the multitude of His mercies.”   Psalm 106:44-45 NKJV

 

One of the most reassuring things about God is the fact that He is always faithful to answer our cries and to demonstrate His mercy towards His people. I have always enjoyed having my daughters ask me for help, and even now that they are grown and living elsewhere it still is nice to get a call and be asked to do something that is helpful in some way. Do you really believe God is so busy that He doesn't want to hear from us when we need some help? Ask and see just how faithful our God is.

 

“Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue me from their destructions, My precious [life] from the lions. I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.”    Psalm 35:17-18 NKJV

 

Of course David well knew that when God provided, He alone was due the glory and the thanks. What better witness could we have but to give God the glory when He delivers us as well?

 

“Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom [be] glory forever and ever. Amen.”                                  Galatians 1:3-5 NKJV

 

What better to help us endure than the knowledge that God promises to deliver us from this “present evil age”.  While it may be difficult to sit by and watch where this world is going, we can rest assured that we have His promise that we will be saved from that terrible judgment which is to come upon the whole earth.

 

“O God, how long will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever? Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? [Take it] out of Your bosom and destroy [them].”                            Psalm 74:10-11 NKJV

 

Just as David knew God had the power to judge and destroy His enemies, so we also have the knowledge that while it looks as if we are losing the battle, God will avenge Himself upon those who turn their backs on Him.

 

“The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. "He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed."                     1 Samuel 2:10 NKJV

 

Is it wrong to be impatient while waiting for God's return? While we know that God will do His work in His own time, David certainly had no problem expressing the difficulty he felt while waiting.

 

“Return, O LORD! How long? And have compassion on Your servants. Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!”                 Psalm 90:13-14 NKJV

 

While we look at what is going on all around us and wonder why God is waiting, we should never forget that He loves those who sin against Him and is compassionate towards them with a patience we cannot begin to comprehend.  Our God is not willing for any to perish and we need to keep that in mind whenever we are tempted to ask “how long”?

 

“The LORD [is] gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. The LORD [is] good to all, And His tender mercies [are] over all His works.”      Psalm 145:8-9 NKJV

 

What does God expect from us during this time of waiting? I think it revealing that in this passage from Luke we find that Jesus asks a very unusual question.

 

"And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? "I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"    Luke 18:7-8 NKJV

 

Has the thought ever occurred to you that we should just give up? We are losing the fight so why bother anymore? David never gave up although at times it appears he believed the entire world was against him. Yet David knew God was faithful to fulfill His promises because he never asked "if" God was going to act, only "how long" until He would act, and we should know that as well. Although it may appear that we are fighting a losing battle, the battle is not over until the Son of Man comes to take us away. Will He find faith? Why would He ask that question unless some would be tempted to give up?  If He promises to be faithful to us, is it too much to ask for us to be faithful to Him?

There is an old hymn that many may remember that is called "Resting on the Promises of God".  Truer words have never been spoken for us as believers,  and it is something we all need to practice, especially now in the times we are living in.  If you are reading this today and your desire is to spend eternity in heaven, but you have never made the decision to accept the gift of salvation God has offered you by the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, I urge you to do it today.   You can do that by simply asking Him to make you one of His own by praying a prayer like this.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen. 

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Our Father's Business

“So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, “Do business til I come.”           Luke 19:13  NKJV

It should come as no surprise that many in this country are more than disappointed in the results of the elections this past week.  Rather than continuing on the path of change for the better, it would appear that much of this country will instead keep on embracing leaders who will take this country down the road that leads to destruction.  As a practical matter, the question many believers are already asking themselves, especially as it relates to the economy, is how will this affect me?  In truth, if we look closely at this parable from Luke concerning the faithful servant, if we are doing what God expects from us it shouldn’t affect us at all.

In the King James version, the word “business” is translated “occupy”.  Used here, the word in the Greek is “pragmateuomai”, or occupy.  It is defined as “to be occupied in anything, to carry on a business.”  While certainly no one would disagree that the intent of this parable by Jesus was and is to focus our attention on the importance of carrying on His business of spreading the gospel, my thoughts are more focused on the word “occupy” and considering the message Jesus has for us there.

“Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways! “You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways!”  Haggai 1:5-7  NKJV

Although Haggai is considered to be one of the minor prophets, there is certainly nothing minor about his prophecy to the nation of Israel.  Haggai was the first prophet to appear after the end of the Babylonian captivity and when the Jewish people were again living in the land of Israel.  His prophecy towards the people was one of judgment from God because of their neglect to rebuild the Temple, something they had been given permission to do when they were released from their captivity.  This prophecy was given because fifteen years had passed and the people still had not finished the rebuilding, but rather had turned their focus to their personal well being.

Although the book of Haggai is just two chapters long, the word “consider” is used five different times by Haggai as God commands the people to examine their actions and the motivations behind them.  The word for consider in the Hebrew is suwm which is translated to put, make, set, lay, ordain, to bring to pass.  I found it interesting that nowhere does it say “think about it”, which would probably be our answer to the meaning of “consider”, but rather God is saying “do something” or “change” your ways because they are wrong.

Because they had chosen to ignore His instruction to rebuild the temple, God chose to remove His blessings from them in order to show His displeasure at their actions.  Haggai tells us that although the people were working very hard for personal gain, God decided to take it all away as a sign to them that no matter how hard they might work, if following God’s instructions were not their priority, nothing they did would bear fruit. 

“You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the LORD of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house.”    Haggai 1:9  NKJV

The people who God had charged with the responsibility to rebuild the Temple were instead focused on their own lives, worrying about their personal comfort and gain.  Rather than making obedience to God’s instructions their priority, they were instead putting all their efforts into trying to improve their own situation by working for themselves.  Because of that, God admonishes them to consider their ways. The situation we find ourselves in today is a result of the actions of those in power wishing to subject the country to socialistic laws which in turn is creating economic hardship for many.  The resulting struggle has caused quite a number of people to begin to worry about future hardships, which in truth is only natural, yet should we too also listen to the admonition from God to consider our ways?

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”                 Matthew 6:24-25  NKJV

Most of us work very hard at our jobs, knowing that the work we do brings us the means to provide for ourselves and our families.  There is certainly nothing wrong with that, especially if you consider that it is God who arranged for us to obtain the work that we have.  Yet if you look closely at the message from Haggai, it is obvious that what God is displeased with is the fact that the people focused all their efforts towards personal gain while ignoring their service to God.  When Haggai tells the people the message from God is to “consider their ways”, he is telling them to make their service to God the priority in their lives.

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”    Matthew 6:31-33  NKJV

The state of our country as it now stands, especially as we watch the arena of politics, it becomes ever more difficult to focus on putting God’s business first. Almost daily it seems, we are subjected to examples of just how pervasive evil is in the world today.  Yet this passage makes it clear that we are not to worry because God will provide for His people.  The questions we must ask ourselves today is are we “occupied” in serving God, or are we making the same mistake that the people did in Haggai?  Our trust should be in God to provide for our needs, and focus our efforts to protect the message of the Gospel. 

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”                                 2 Timothy 4:1-2  NKJV

While there appears that there will be no change forthcoming in the direction this country is headed, there should also be no change in the priorities we have as well.  As believers, our charge is the same as given to Timothy.  Our focus, our time, our efforts, should all be to make it our priority to spend time in the Word and be prepared to defend the faith, doing God’s business until He comes.  If not, don’t be surprised to find God bring all our efforts to nothing just as He did in Haggai.  Acknowledging that God is in control and choosing not to worry is a difficult task to say the least.  With that in mind, I want to share an excerpt from a study by Jack Kelley from gracethrufaith.com.

Is God In Control?

This brings us back to the original question, and here’s my answer. I believe things will turn out exactly like God said they will because He’s already seen the end, and He saw it from the beginning. But does that mean I believe God is in total control of everything that happens in the meantime? No, I don’t, and I think I’ve shown above that the Bible supports my opinion.

I believe when we become Christians we become aliens behind enemy lines. I believe we can expect God’s help in surviving if we turn over control of our lives to Him. But I think there’s a lot more to that than most people understand.

When Jesus said to take up our cross and follow Him (Luke 9:23) He was calling us to do what He was doing.  And what was He doing?  Matt. 26:39 tells us He laid down His will in favor of His Father’s will.  Romans 12:1-2 explains that’s exactly what we’re called to do.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We’re to lay down our will for our life and embrace His will for our life instead.

In Ephesians 4:22-24 Paul put it this way.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

I’ve seen a lot of people who give lip service to this command, and a few who actually obey it. But even those who do obey realize the world remains an evil place, and bad things can still happen.

Jesus said that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33),  but He also said He came so we can have an abundant life (John 10:10). We gain this blessing by laying down the life we have planned for ourselves and picking up the life He has planned for us.  In this way, we can experience a personal world where He is in total control no matter what is happening in the world around us, and where He is working even the bad things that happen together for our good (Romans 8:28).

Paul said our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). For that reason, he said, “we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18). This life is temporary. It’s the next one that’s permanent.

This is also why Paul told us to live by faith not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7), because even when we’re experiencing the adverse effects of this evil place, we can know that God has promised to work everything together for our good. Therefore, no matter how bad things might be, we can take heart in the fact that He has overcome the world, and through faith in Him we will too. Selah 10-20-12

https://gracethrufaith.com/topical-studies/spiritual-life/is-god-in-total-control-of-everything/

If we were to attempt to describe the direction our country and the world as well has decided to move in the past few years, an adjective used more and more lately is the word “divisive”.  Unfortunately for us as a society, it seems to have escaped notice that one of the world’s oldest strategies for achieving victory in any conflict is “divide and conquer”.  While many might argue the point, it seems perfectly obvious to me that the author of the divisiveness running rampant in our country today is none other than Satan, and his agenda is succeeding spectacularly.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7. NKJV

I believe the challenge for us as believers is twofold.  The first is to trust that God is in control, and the second would be to “consider” our ways and be certain we are “occupied” in the business of serving our God and trusting in Him to meet our needs.  The truth is, however, these promises are given only to those who have made the choice to believe.  If you have never made the decision to accept Jesus Christ into your heart and accept the free gift of eternal life He has offered you, I urge you to do so right now. You can do that by praying this prayer and accepting the gift of eternal life God has offered you by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

Father, I know I am a sinner in need of salvation. I believe you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin, and I ask you now to forgive me of my sins. I want to receive your gift of salvation so please come into my heart and help me to live and follow you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”        2 Timothy 3:16-17  NKJV

“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”   Hebrews 13:20-21  NKJV

“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”              Revelation 3:10-11  NKJV

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