Bounty-Full…
Sometimes there are words we use but seldom consider the real meaning. Bounty is one of them – originally meant to infer generosity or abundance. The root in Latin: good. This month I want each day to find me focusing on the giving of thanks, to the One who is such a generous Giver and has so much abundance. A bounty-full, good God…
I recently accompanied my daughter to the doggie doctor – it was her first trip and her dog, Jane, is a handful, so I think she wanted a little extra support.
There were others there with their kitties or doggies, there were shelves of all different kinds of food, supplements, treats. An abundance of everything, and then some, that a pet could need. In America we are so blessed, we can even afford to take our pets to the doctor and have multiple choices of foods and goodies.
How easily we forget where all this ‘bounty’ comes from and how generous the Giver… “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2Corinthians 9:8 NIV)
Before we know it Thanksgiving Day will have come and gone here in America. But the Father who never changes day in and day out, will still be by the side of those who call on the Name of His Son. The question is, can we, will we, develop the habit of giving thanks not just on a special day?
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17 NIV)
Whether we have very little here according to the world, or we are overflowing, we’re measuring by the wrong standards. Our bounty from the Father isn’t always about right now – but is always about forever. So we must be “…always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light.” (Colossians 1:12 NLT)
Each day is a chance to thank Him for more than we can see, more than we can think to ask for – so deep is His love…
If you stopped by because you read my devotion today over at Encouragement Cafe, WELCOME! So glad you are here!
Great-Full…
Hard to believe we are approaching our all American Day of Thanksgiving. One day we set aside to be grateful…
I can’t help but wonder where we would be as a nation if everyday we were grateful for just one thing. So blessed and yet most go through the whole year without contemplating the immense blessings we have – as though just because we were born in the North American Hemisphere far south enough for it to be called the U.S.A. it just happened.
Recently I visited the Museum of Appalachia. More of a historical site than a museum, there were original buildings from throughout the Appalachian mountains, working farm areas, artifacts, memorabilia of all kinds. Their motto and reason for their organization is “We simply cannot appreciate where we are today, or understand where we are going tomorrow, unless we understand where, as a culture, we’ve been in the past.”
True for those of us who call ourselves child of the one true God. An all time best seller has been written so we can appreciate where we are today. So we can understand where we are going tomorrow. So we can know where we’ve been in the past. A living witness to the greatness of the Author, trustworthy and true to guide us through our days.
As believers we are Great-Full: full of the greatness of God, His blessings, His love, His Holy Spirit, His Son not spared for us. Filled to overflowing – but we don’t live it. We keep the lid on our abundance. What if we started small: sharing our thanks for one great-full thing from our storehouse with someone we know each day. Then venturing further and sharing another thing we are great-full of with a total stranger.
I’m guessing as our focus shifts to blessings, others might shift their focus. Perhaps America’s move away from Christianity has its roots in our lack of thanks-giving. If we begin to be thankful for blue skies, falling leaves, crisp apples, fluttering wings, foggy mornings, breath warm in the cold air, a Creator of all that is – maybe our focus will shift back to the God of our heritage.
When we lose our grateful, we risk losing our great-full bounty – forgetting the Giver… O Lord my God, I will give You thanks forever. (Psalm 30:12 NIV)
So Rich…
Aweful – so, being rich is being awe-full. Long before our current use of the word awful, there was the common use of the word aweful. Being full of awe, of an awesome God…
Recently a young woman sat two chairs over from me at church – cute sleeveless red dress and frilly pumps. Sitting down she crossed her arms and stared straight ahead. I wasn’t sure what to think. When we rose to sing, she rose, arms folded, no singing.
Funny how His creation knows they need Him, so they do what they think He wants them to. Show up at church, pray a quick prayer, send money to a needy cause. Missing is the awe, the realization of who God really is.
The sermon moved on, her hands fell in her lap…
Surrender is what precedes awe. The realization that there is nothing we can do, it’s been done. “But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” (Colossians 1:22 NIV) Past tense, for those who believe. Reconciled, holy in His sight, without blemish, free from accusation. That makes me aweful…
When the final song came she stood and before I glanced over I could hear her. Singing loudly, surrendering. She bent over the chair in front of her, taking deep breaths, then stood tall again and raised her face – truly seeing the One she had come seeking. She was full of awe.
“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4 NIV) Twice in the span of a few sentences, it is said again… “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8 NIV)
Not something we have to do, a gift – faith, freely given from the one who is rich in mercy, and longs for us with an everlasting love. Sweet surrender, to be so rich…
Why Me…
Not what you’re thinking – no whining here. The ‘why me’ is the amaze me statement… Why did God choose me? Choose you?
It’s nothing short of amazing – me? With all my hang-ups and you with all yours? But that’s what He tells us: “For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you.” (1Thessalonians 1:4 NIV) Loved by God, that’s amazing too…
I don’t know about you, but I’m not always so easy to love. I think, though, it’s in those moments He loves me most. Why? Because those moments are when I’m most vulnerable and when I most want to run and sit in His lap and have my pity party. (Not that He loves us any more or less at any given time and not that we can actually sit in His lap, but you know what I mean.)
Another amazing thing: glorious riches that He has shared with you and me. “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27 NIV) That is a mystery that only those who surrender and reach for His already extended hand ever understand – and oh so rich we are.
He would like us to do a few things (but even when won’t or don’t, He still loves us)… There’s a certain way He wants us to clothe ourselves: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12 NIV)
I think that’s another reason He wants us reading His Word daily, because whenever I read those love words like ‘holy and dearly loved’ I really want to be the person He’s called me to be. So I guess we need to make sure we have our kindness shirt on and gentleness shoes – sure would make dealing with the hard-to-get-along-withs easier. Pull on a compassion cap and a humility purse to make sure we aren’t judging. And it couldn’t hurt to put on some patience pants, so we can sit with those things that make us most want to scream and carry on…
Best of all is this… “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.” (Romans 8:33 NIV) Next time you feel unjustly, or even justly, judged or intimidated – remember, God sees His Son when He sees us and it is through His sacrifice we are justified – not our works but His.
Why me – because a great and loving God reached out and He helped me grab hold…
If you stopped by because you read my devotion today over at Encouragement Cafe, WELCOME! So glad you are here!
Best Days…
Some days are just best days…the ones where the air seems clear and the world, though not right, doesn’t seem to be crowding in…
I know we can’t live with rose colored glasses on every day, but maybe we can find a rose colored moment each day?
We live life til we’re about fifty thinking there will always be tomorrows, more chances, time to make things right. Then we hit that point and realize – ‘Hey, I’ve lived more than half my life, I may only have another fifteen to twenty birthdays.’ Suddenly the days seem to pass so quickly and we realize the moments are much more important.
Truth is our next breath isn’t guaranteed and no matter our age we need to be purposeful in our living. Living full of purpose: noticing the change of season, running outside to see the last of the sunset or the full moon rise, being grateful for the grace given each day. “From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.” (John 1:16 NIV)
All is blessing because nothing is a surprise to God – He knows each of our moments, He’s ahead of them, before them, in them. We can’t wrap our minds around this but we can rest in that sovereignty. And we can rejoice because “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” (Ephesians 1:7-8 NIV)
I love that word — l a v i s h e d — bountiful, abundant, extravagant. It’s like not just dabbing a little perfume on my neck but pouring on the whole bottle – or not just greeting a loved one with a hug and kiss on the cheek but sweeping them off their feet, twirling them around, and shouting ‘I love this person’. That is God lavishing His grace on us through His Son, our Savior Jesus.
What a glorious grace, what a rose colored life we do have then, because it results in this: “Having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7 NIV) That hope, firm and secure, is ours – so all days, even the hard ones, are best days…
If you stopped by because you read my devotion today over at Encouragement Cafe, WELCOME! So glad you are here!
What Lasts…
Strolling towards me were three tiny birds with the orangest beaks and pinkest legs. They were an inseparable trio, definitely playing follow-the-leader. Where she pecked, they pecked. She fluffed her feathers, they fluffed theirs. When she waddled off, they followed right behind.
The fact that they didn’t seem to notice me at all reminded me of how we are strongest – Jesus said “For where two or three come together in My Name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20 NIV) Jesus is always with His followers but when we have a friend or spouse by our side, then there’s three of us…strength in numbers.
Several years ago we owned a home in the Tennessee mountains. Shortly after moving in we met one of our neighbors who became wonderful friends going out of their way to help us on many occasions. The time came to sell our home but the friendship still continues. She recently said we will always be ‘heart neighbors’.
Our stories are always better, richer because of the lives that we intersect. Fond memories are not filled with places or things, it’s the laughter and the love of others that make them linger.
These days we have a tendency to isolate, we’re busy, there are many demands on our time. Yet I think we would all agree that although we regret times we haven’t spent with others, we never regret the times we share a meal, tell stories and laugh, celebrate life.
God made us for each other. To be solace in the hard times and part of the smiles of joyous times. When our time here is done we can’t take things with us – but we can leave behind the fragrance of our companionship and we can take with us into eternity the remembrance of a sweet soul to meet up with again someday.
“Love one another deeply, from the heart.” (1Peter 1:22 NIV) – even if it’s inconvenient…this is what lasts…
Beauty Secrets…
I watched as she made her way three rows up from where I was seated. There with her grown son and family. She was hard to miss, but not because of the world’s standards…the only hair she had left was sparse here and there, yet she wore no hat, scarf, or wig…
I’ve seen the magazine covers, been bombarded by the celebrity hype, and fell for the lie. We’ve all heard beauty is only skin deep, even that is a lie – beauty is much deeper, it is soul deep – unfading.
Have to tell you this one: Did you know that cosmetic comes from the Greek meaning to make order out of chaos? Too funny, isn’t that what we’re trying to do when we look in the mirror first thing in the morning…
We’re fussing over the outward but do we ever stop and ask: ‘God, what do You want me to look like today?’
He tells us to adorn ourselves with this “…the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” (1Peter 3:4 NIV) The word ‘gentle’ in this verse is translated: strength under control. Quiet in this verse is translated: tranquility from within even as the storm rages without. Then a beautiful woman is one who is strong and tranquil?
That woman is one who draws her strength from the lover of her soul and exudes her tranquility stemming from trust. Even more to consider is that God tells us this is “of great worth” in His sight. Meaning precious – and why precious? Because it is so rare, a rare beauty…
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:20 NIV) Dear friend, outwardly we are wasting away but if Christ is in our heart, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. Beauty secrets? You won’t find them in the magazine or the infomercial…
The woman a few rows up radiated beauty as she sang praise to her Father, as she lifted hands and smiled, as she patted her son’s back. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2Corinthians 4:18 NIV)
If you stopped by because you read my devotion today over at Encouragement Cafe, WELCOME! So glad you are here!
Crown Me…
Every girl loves a tiara, sparkly and brilliant…
Not many ‘queens’ left – their crowns are on display in some museum or high security place for others to ooh and aah.
One day all the crowns – be they rhinestone or diamond, be they for the prom or the monarch – will pale in comparison to what awaits the followers of the King of the universe.
“For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with salvation.” (Psalm 149:4 NIV) So many equate humble with powerlessness – but it is the humble person who shines brightest when he doesn’t have to have the spotlight, doesn’t have to receive all the recognition, stands by what he believes. The Lord delights in us, His people? Even when we blow it and even when we act anything but humble? He delights in us because we trust in His Son. Crown me – with salvation…
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” (1Peter 5:4 NIV) Today’s crowns fade, the prom queen gets old, the monarch leaves the crown to the next generation – everything here is temporary. Someday, a wondrous day, the One who sees us through it all, will come and a crown of glory that never fades will be ours – that glory, it is His. His glory of giving up all for those who love Him, and it is through His sacrifice we will someday shine. Crown me – with glory…
“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day” (2Timothy 4:8 NIV) You, me – no righteousness to be found. All our good deeds are marred by all our less than righteous thoughts, actions, and words. Because of a Savior who was willing to give us His righteousness, God sees Him when He looks at us. So someday we need not fear the Judge, on that day our judgment will be His love. Crown me – with righteousness…
“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10 NIV) Will we be faithful to the end – always standing for God no matter how unpopular that stand may be? No matter the cost of that stand? If we are, eternal life with no more struggles is ours. Crown me – with LIFE…
This Life…
There are times that mark a life – when hurricanes came and turned our lives upside down, when a loved one died, when 9/11 changed everything…
Reminders – life here is never static, always changing, growing us…temporary.
Sometimes we try to go back – back to that childhood hometown. Try to find the house we lived in, the school we went to – remembrances of days gone by. Sometimes not much has changed, sometimes places are no longer there.
There is something that never changes: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17 NIV) An unchanging Father who gives freely…
So many good and perfect gifts, not enough space to count them all. A baby’s first cry, a puppy’s slobbery kiss, a waterfall’s mist, a band on our left ring finger, oh the list is endless… Those things change and leave us with sweet memories – but they each come from the Father who sent a Savior who “…is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)
Jesus walked rough roads, laughed with delight, worked, touched lives — and then He sighed, knowing that it’s not supposed to be so hard. He gave Himself so that all that truly delights our soul can be ours today and forever.
What if we lived life like an offering, not an obsession. To pour ourselves out for use in touching another, not keeping the lid on tight. Wiping away tears, laughing til it hurts, loving til it makes a difference. These can’t be done in isolation, rather with His presence as I risk being there for those I know and love and those I don’t.
“God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1John 5:11-12 NIV) If you have Him, He has you. This life – yes, in Him it’s eternal…
Be The Same…
Funny, we never see children trying to be different, unique, set apart. No, they watch what somewhat else does and then they imitate it.
I think this is what the Father who dearly loves us had in mind when He said “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children.” Ephesians 5:1 NIV Instead of everyone going their own way competing to stand out and be different perhaps we are called to be the same…
This calling of the world to be your own man, to go for the gusto, to climb that success ladder – I think it’s tearing apart hearts and souls. Don’t get me wrong, we are each created with unique abilities and vulnerabilities. But instead of using our uniqueness to surpass the next person in some way, aren’t we supposed to be using it to draw each other into unity?
“Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” Philippians 2:2 NIV
Be the same isn’t being like each other, it’s being like Him… Imitating His love, His forgiveness, His compassion. Yes, we each have our unique gifts but there is one purpose to them. We each have our unique personalities but there is one reason for them. We each have our unique weaknesses and strengths but there is one God who uses them…
Hebrews 13:8 NIV tells us “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” His love for us doesn’t change, His purpose for us doesn’t change, His eternity for us doesn’t change.
Today is a chance to be the same as Him – to speak hope into one who is hurting, to speak life into one who is doubting, to speak forever into one who has given up. When we do this we do become alike, after all we were created in the image of God. We become alike in mind, spirit, and purpose. We become a body who truly makes a difference because we empty ourselves and fill up others… Be the same…
If you stopped by because you read my devotion over at Encouragement Cafe, WELCOME! So glad you are here!
parisrenae 