Sacrificial Thank Offerings

He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me,
and he prepares the way
so that I may show him the salvation of God." Psalm 50:5

 

the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, "Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever." For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,' says the LORD. Jeremiah 33:11

 

What does it mean to 'sacrifice thank offerings' to God? If we are showing and communicating our thankfulness how then is that a sacrifice? Interesting questions, I believe, however answering is not the difficult part,

following through with the answer is.

 

Thank offerings are words and ways in which we express to God our grateful attitude for all that he has given us, done for and through us and accomplished in this world. It can be simple 'popcorn prayer"

thrown up at a moment when time is short. It can be a heartfelt plea to our loving God on bended knee.  However, I believe that the best way to show our thanks is to make a sacrifice of some sort. We can sacrifice our time, our talent, our possessions or our money.

 

When we sacrifice our time we are devoting time that may otherwise be wasted in a worldly sense. Instead of watching television we study the Bible. Instead of going to a movie on Saturday afternoon, we volunteer

at a shelter or food kitchen. Instead of rushing from church on Sunday morning to try and beat the crowds to the restaurants maybe we should find a way to serve at church; help with the children, parking, participate in a bible study group. Finding some way to be an active member in the family of God through service.

 

Using our talent can be anything from cleaning up, to singing to teaching to rocking babies in the nursery. We all have gifts that God has given us to use to further and to nurture his kingdom. There are many jobs in the church that need to be done that most people never think of, you just need to ask where you can be of use.  We have to be willing to make that

sacrifice of self to step out on faith and take action on it.  If you don't know what it is you are good at, try different things that may sound interesting to you. You just never know where that right fit might be.

 

Sacrificing our possessions or money is for some most difficult and for others easy. Those who find it difficult sometimes are inhibited by a lack of trust. They don't trust the leadership of the church or organization to which

they are giving to use their gift wisely. Sometimes it is warranted but in most cases its an excuse not to give.  For others, it's the easy way out. They would rather donate in this way to reserve their time for what they consider to be more important. Granted some are truly over burdened with obligations that truly are important, caring for a sick or incapacitated family member or working long hours to provide for the needs of their families. We all need to look long and hard at our sacrificial giving in whatever manner in which we accomplish it. We need to examine our priorities to determine if we are honoring God in our lives by anything other than lip service. Saying thank you is appreciated, but showing thankfulness and gratitude through sacrifice can expand the kingdom and for that there is no greater blessing.

 

Lord God, I do thank you for all you do and have done in my life.  I thank you for just being the loving, gracious God who created me and provides for my needs.  Please, show me ways to put action to my words God.  Lead me in acts of service to put hands and feet to my faith and further your kingdom.

Bless and Keep You!

The LORD said to Moses, 23 "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

"The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." '

"So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them." Numbers 6:22-27

 

 

This scripture is a direct blessing from the one and only Almighty God. He delivered this message to Moses

to give to Aaron and the other Levite priests. This particular blessing has been often quoted and spoken over not only the Jewish community of believers through the centuries but is also a promise of blessing to all believers in Jesus Christ.

 

When God sent his son Jesus to walk this earth as the pure and spotless lamb of God to be later sacrificed on behalf of all human beings God's promises and blessings were then opened to us all. It's not just the direct descendants of the Jewish tribes of Israel that benefit, but all who call on the name of Jesus. Everyone blood washed one of us who has put our faith and trust in this Savior who's cross of crucifixion built the bridge to span the gaping ravine of sin in our lives that separated us from God. This selfless act

allows us access to a personal relationship with our merciful and gracious God.

 

Today my friends, if you are saved by the blood of Jesus, I pray this blessing over you.

May the LORD bless and keep you.

May the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

May the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.

 

If you have yet to truly put your faith and trust in He who is able, who is gracious, loving and merciful.  He who is all powerful, all knowing, trustworthy and forgiving. I pray this blessing on you as well but to this I add my prayer that you too will find the loving relationship with your Heavenly Father by asking Jesus to be your savior and accepting Him into your heart and your life.

 

Forgive and Forget

But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:11

Forgiveness is difficult, forgetting, impossible. How many of us have said, "I can forgive but not forget"? As human beings we tend to hold on to the past. Our memories, although not perfect since I sometimes can't remember why I went from one room to the next, are part of what makes us who we are. Our minds hold on to images, scents, sensations, all things that bring back a particular moment in our life experience on this planet. Sometimes the moments are good, heartwarming flashes that give us the warm and fuzzy feeling like being a child wrapped tightly in a quilt by our grandmother. Yet others are upsetting and painful filling us with dread and tears.

As we travel our journey in this human form waiting on eternity we spend day after day making new memories, having new experiences that fill our minds with tidbits of information to look back to. Some of us stop to make intentional memories. We soak in the smell of flowers, cologne, hand lotion, whatever reminds us of a particular person. I will always remember my grandmother every time I smell Jergens hand lotion. When I was little she always had a bottle sitting on her dresser. The cherry almond scent is forever embedded in my mind and it always brings me to her and the way she loved me.

Our memories can be tools for good but they can also be instruments of evil. When we hold on to memories of difficult, hurtful or disastrous moments in our lives and we relive those events not letting them go it becomes a stumbling block for us. If we constantly punish ourselves or others for our past indiscretions and bad decisions or actions we become locked in the pattern of unforgiveness. Although we may never truly forget the past, we must be willing to let go of the pain. We cannot hold on to those moments or seasons allowing them to be our focus if we expect to move past them to a personal relationship with God. We must forgive as he does. In Hebrews 8:12 he says, " For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more". As followers, believers, disciples of Jesus we have been washed, sanctified and justified in his Holy name by the Spirit of God. Even if we think forgiving and forgetting is not probable remember, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

Dear God I am so thankful for the reminder today that you can work in and through me. You have washed me of my sins, you have set me apart, sanctified for your purpose and you have justified me through your son Jesus and by your Holy Spirit. It is through you that I have been given the power to forgive and the capacity to forget. Thank you, thank you for helping me move on to better things in you!

If you are stuck somewhere in your past, ask God to help you let go and live! It is beyond the power of the human mind but nothing is impossible with God!

Remarkable, Unsearchable Secrets of God

"This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:2-3 (NIV)
“This is what the Lord says—the Lord who made the earth, who formed and established it, whose name is the Lord: Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come." Jeremiah 33:2-3 (NLT)

Happy Mother's Day my friends! Today, as I look out into the world that God created I see the beauty of nature. I have been watching a family of Robins for the last few weeks as they have grown from two to six. Momma built her nest on the railing of my covered deck in plain view. For the last 4 weeks we have watched as the nest went from empty to being filled with four lovely blue eggs, to four not so lovely hatchlings. Now after only a week and a half we have fat feathery babies bouncing around the porch. This morning two were gone, off flying on their own. By afternoon, they were all out spreading their wings and experiencing the life they were created for.

This verse expresses and reminds me of the truth that God, our creator, knows so much more than we do. It assures us that he hears us and will share the information, his remarkable, unsearchable secrets with us if we ask him in faith. As I have gotten to watch as the miracle of life unfolds in this family of birds, I have thanked God for giving me the opportunity. Since childhood when we got to hatch baby chicks in elementary school we have known the mechanics of such an event. However, this is the first time I have had a front row seat to witness God's provision in such a tangible sweet way. It affirms my belief that God truly is in control and that he does indeed care for his creation right down to the baby birds on my porch. How awesome is that!

In a few short weeks, I will be some what like that mother bird on my porch. The "hatchling" I have nurtured for the last 17 1/2 years will be graduating from high school. She is going to be stretching her wings and expanding her territory as she flies with the Eagles of Morehead State University. I am sad to know that not only to see the empty bird's nest on my porch, but to know that in a very short time my nest too will be empty. But just as I have watched God provide for the needs of these babies through a mother bird, I know that God provided for my baby through me and will continue to do so. Even though she is leaving the nest to test the winds on her own, I know that she is in good hands. I celebrate her independence and trust that the lessons her father and I have tried to teach her will be evident in her choices. I also trust that God will guide her steps and protect her as she moves ever closer to adulthood. I remind myself that this is how it should be. It's what she was born to do; grow, mature under the guidance of her parents so that she too can go and fly freely and one day teach her own children to do the same.

Heavenly Father thank you so much for displaying the wonder of life in front of me these last few weeks. I have seen as these creatures have grown and been provided for by your mighty hand. God, I want to listen to your voice and continue to feel your presence as I have through these wonders of your creation. Help me stay focused on you with a listening heart and an open mind to follow your lead.

Have a blessed Mother's Day and may each of you be as blessed in His presence as I have been! Here's to the mothers of all of God's creatures!

Be Still..

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

 

Many people in today's society speak of how busy we are as human beings. This daily grind, so to speak, that keeps us moving from one engagement to another day in and day out rules our time. The speed at which life moves today seems so quick in comparison to times of old. All of the technology, the modes of communication that are constantly

bombarding our senses leave little room for quietness in our lives. The constant barrage of stimuli and demands on our much coveted time seem almost overwhelming making it a necessity to purposefully plan for a few moments of focused devotional time with God.

 

I have heard and even said myself that today's life is much more hectic and rushed than past generations. However, it occurred to me that although in some ways that may be true, intentionally sitting down and being with God has apparently been an issue since the beginning. This verse from Psalm 46:10 was not recently added to the Word of God to address our current situation. It has always been there. He knew from the beginning that we, as his creations, as human beings, would have attention issues. He told us from the beginning the secret to knowing Him and being connected to Him. We must "be still" and "know" that He is God! We need to stop all the things that distract us and concentrate on recognizing and perceiving the truth of who He is in our lives.  We need to communicate with Him and he with us and the only way we will be able to do that is by blocking out all else and giving Him center stage in our hearts and minds.

 

God I thank you this morning for knowing me and recognizing the struggle I would have in prioritizing my time to

spend with you.  Thank you for giving me instructions and being faithful to listen and speak when I seek you first.

 

The instructions are clear, we just have to follow them!

A Work in Progress

Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.

When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,

the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.    Psalm 146:3-6

Every time I watch the news I am reminded of just how fallible and unreliable humankind is. Yet, it has been my experience that many people tend to put those they look up to on a pedestal of sorts. The adorning fans of movie stars and music mavens revere them as they expect perfection. The followers of the political leaders and media giants expect nothing short of great wisdom and impeccable decision making. The congregants of popular preachers or evangelists, even Christian based music makers, assume these standouts lead lives above reproach. So many put their faith in people who by virtue of their position, talent and profession are in the public eye.

God's word clearly tells us not to put our trust in "princes, in mortal men, who cannot save". God knows that all human beings are imperfect creatures and they will make bad decisions. These people who are in positions of leadership either by choice or circumstance are still lowly humans. This includes local church leaders, local government, your bible study leaders or pastors. Even, your friends, coworkers and family members are not exceptions.  They will let us and themselves down.

It is easy for us to look to someone else to be an example of what we think 'good' is. It is almost a relief to feel as though we cannot measure up. It takes the pressure off to hold someone else to higher accountability than ourselves. And, when those individuals whom we have put on the pedestal trips, stumbles or falls in a crashing heap we quickly stand in judgment. However, instead of seeing all of their mistakes and deciding that they should have known better, maybe we should look in a mirror.  Looking closely at ourselves before we start casting stones to see that we too are imperfect and have made mistakes.  Would we want to be the one with our lives in all its ugliness displayed in the public eye?

To me, what we must remember, what I have been convicted by, is that by God's grace I am forgiven therefore, I must also forgive.  I must be willing to accept people for who they are and show them the same love and mercy which I have received from a gracious and loving God.  I have received many 'second' chances in my life and I have to be willing to afford others that same opportunity.  God changed me.  He has smoothed some of my rough edges.  He has strengthened some of my weak places and mended many cracks in this simple clay pot.  I am still a work in progress.  I have to remember, we all do, that we are all continuous works in progress in the Master's hands.  I have no room in my life for condemnation and judgment of others for I would be beaten bloody by the stones that could be thrown my way were it not for the sacrifice of Jesus!

God thank you, thank you for your gift of salvation and the forgiveness afforded me through Jesus.  I want always to remember this truth and to see others through your eyes.  Fill my heart Lord with your love and place in me your forgiving spirit.  Let me not think too highly of myself to ever sit in judgment of another but show me ways to encourage the fallen to look to you, for you are our hope!

God is good, all the time...All the time, God is good!  May his grace be sufficient for you today!