Priorities: Finding a way to give thanks in a messed up world

As a family, we give thanks before each meal. We bow our heads and one of us – we take turns – prays a simple prayer of appreciation for the meal. I remember when my youngest could barely speak. She’d pray, “Baby Jesus, for this food. Amen.” We never figured out why she prayed to Baby Jesus, but she’s outgrown it now.

I doubt if any of us send up a prayer of appreciation for our clothes before we get dressed each morning. Or how about every time we get in the car and it starts? What about when we pay bills and the money doesn’t run out before we pay the last one. Do we think a prayer of thankfulness every time a thought of a loved one comes through our minds?

It seems so odd to me. We can be so rigid about the necessity of giving thanks before a meal but not express any appreciation the rest of the day.

What are some other things for which we can be thankful?

A lot of conflicting stories abound on every issue out there. I’ve learned to rely on Scripture to help me prioritize what’s important. Based on that, in no particular order, I’m thankful for…

• The transforming power of the Word of God; 1 Thessalonians 2:13. (ß Spend some time in God’s Word; read the verses to help you prioritize your season right now!)
• God’s gift – the sacrifice of His Son; 2 Corinthians 9:15.
• The peace of the Messiah; Colossians 3:15.
• The privilege to enter the presence of God; Psalm 100:4.
• Victory, because it is all about winning when it comes to eternity; 1 Corinthians 15:57.
• God’s grace and the privilege to pass it along; 2 Corinthians 4:15.
• The hard times God uses to help me grow; 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
• The part I have in God’s eternal kingdom; Colossians 1:12.
• Wisdom and power of God that are available to me; Daniel 2:23.
• Prayer that conquers worry; Philippians 4:6.
• God’s eternal goodness and love; Psalm 106:1.
• The amazing works of a loving God; Psalm 107:8.
• God hears us, answers us, and saves us; Psalm 118:21.
• The righteousness of Holy God; Psalm 7:17.
• The unlimited power and eternal nature of Almighty God; Revelation 11:17.
• The faith of believers all over the world who do their part in God’s kingdom; Romans 1:8.
• The teaching of Christ who points us to all truth; Romans 6:17-18.

You see, it’s ok if you burn the turkey or dump a pie on the kitchen floor (already had that one happen this year). It will even be ok if one of your relatives isn’t able to be with you this year. News of riots, wars, and nuclear talk failures can't even stop thankfulness. Why? Because even in the midst of daily stresses, relationship difficulties, and world turmoil, we have much for which to be thankful. We are thankful because God reigns, He gave His Son to restore our relationship with Him, and He and His kingdom will stand victorious for all eternity.

May some of these be added to your list of thankfulness this holiday season. 

Thankful for You: Finding ways to appreciate each other

The Apostle Paul began almost every one of his New Testament letters with a word of thanksgiving for his fellow believers.

His thankfulness wasn’t a onetime feeling. He thanked God for them a lot.

This must have been a big deal to Paul; otherwise, he wouldn’t have dedicated so much time to it.

This must be a big deal to God; otherwise, He wouldn’t have led Paul to include it in his letters nine times.

The verses themselves give us some clues as to why it was important to Paul, is important to God, and should be important to us.

Because we serve God

“God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times” (Romans 1:9). Paul thanked God for and prayed for his fellow believers because it’s part of serving God. God wants us to be thankful for each other.

We may not always feel thankful for the people in our lives. Yet, because we serve God and because He desires it to be so, we can choose to be thankful despite our feelings.

Because they have faith

“I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world” (Romans 1:8). I think it’s significant that the world knew the faith of the Romans. They were the leaders of the world at that time; they lived in plenty and could have become self-sufficient and complacent. Nevertheless, their faith was strong enough that the world knew about it.

We may have our lives so put together that we don’t really recognize the contribution of the people we know. But when all else is stripped away and all we’re left with is our faith in Mighty God, the people in our lives become an incredible blessing for which we can thank God.

Because they have received God’s grace

“I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:4). The Corinthian believers weren’t perfect; they had their problems. Church divisions, immorality, lawsuits among believers, misunderstanding of the freedom we have in Christ, and inappropriate worship were all part of their church environment. But they, like us, were recipients of God’s grace. And that was changing everything.

Our loved ones may not be perfect either. In fact, I’m guessing they aren’t perfect. But we can still be thankful for them because God’s grace is available for all of us.

Because they have partnered in the Gospel

“I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:4-5). Paul was thankful for the help provided by his fellow believers. God didn’t call even the greatest missionary who ever lived to save the world on his own. He knew everyone has a part to play in the Kingdom of God.

Our fellow believers may do things differently than us. We may disagree on some insignificant issues. We can still be thankful for them and the work they do in reaching the world for Christ. God never meant for us to reach the world all on our own.

Because of their faith and love

Paul repeated this reason in Ephesians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon. I think Paul was thankful for the faith and love of his fellow believers because they were evidence of the power of God’s Word. They were the result of a transformed life.

Like us, our fellow believers also have faith in Christ and love for the world. I know they do because it comes from the same place ours did – the hope within us and the word of truth (Colossians 1).

• Their faith and love leads them to labor, work, and endure for the hope of Christ just like it does us (1 Thessalonians 1).
• Their faith and love is growing and increasing. Maybe they’re not all they could be, but then again, neither are we (2 Thessalonians 1).
• Their faith and love leads them to share Christ, and thereby bring joy and encouragement to the world (Philemon 1).

So, this Thanksgiving season, I'm thankful for all the usual stuff - family, home, friends - but I'm thankful for one more significant thing. I'm thankful for you - each and every one of you who are serving the King of Kings. I'm thankful because we serve God together, united by our faith, love, need for grace, and a desire to share the Gospel message.

Be sure to share this with those in your life for whom you are thankful. Together you serve the King of Kings!

God's Word - Feast or Famine?

Thanksgiving… Christmas… This time of year abounds in many ways. Food overflows on the tables, lights abound on most homes and buildings, shoppers crowd into the stores, gifts pile high beneath and around the tree. Hopefully, friends and family abound in their wishes of “Happy Thanksgiving” and “Merry Christmas.”

No doubt these are an abundance of blessings for which to be thankful.

That’s not how we live our real lives though. In the remaining eleven months of the year we live fairly steady, consistent lives. In my life, no meal all year compares to the feast at Thanksgiving. Not even my birthday celebration compares to the abundance of presents on Christmas morning.

I think many of us have fallen into the habit of studying God’s Word like we celebrate the holidays. We do so in abundance for a short time; we feast on His Word and savor each bite. Then, we stop. Bible study becomes about as frequent as a non-Thanksgiving feast or a Christmas-less pile of presents.

Many studies focus intently for a short time – maybe 12-, 10-, or only 5- weeks. God never intended for us to study abundantly for a few weeks and then be done for several months. The authors of today’s studies probably don’t intend them to be used that way either.

I’m reminded of my mom who accepted Christ as her Savior as a young adult. She joined a weekly Bible study that met every Tuesday morning. Each week an older woman taught the truths of God’s word to this group of women. Regular Bible study became a part of my mom’s life; by the time she passed away, she herself had helped many other women grow in their faith. A steady, consistent diet of God’s Word transformed her life.

We can learn and grow from a once-a-year binge on God's Word. His Word has the power to make that happen. It's not the best way, however. I encourage you as a new year looms around the corner - find a way to make steady, consistent Bible study part of your daily diet

Grace for Gravy

“Mom, what’s your favorite Thanksgiving food?”

My mind started sorting through each of the holiday favorites. The sweet potatoes with the crunchy nut topping? The juicy turkey slices? The sweet pecan pie – no wait, maybe the creamy pumpkin pie. I had a hard time choosing only one until I realized exactly which one is my favorite.

The beauty and perfection of the Thanksgiving meal is…

The thing that makes us look forward to it for the whole month of November is…

…all of it.

All of the foods come together on your plate in a symphony of tastes. A bite of turkey with a little bit of mashed potatoes on it. Follow that bite with a taste of stuffing or your dinner roll that soaked up a little juice from the cranberry fruit salad.

The Thanksgiving meal has to be complete or it just isn’t quite as satisfying. Sweet potato casserole on any old Thursday night is still good – but not as good as it is on Thanksgiving.

As I finished making pies for our feast this year, I thought about this conversation with my daughter and realized its similarity to one of my favorite parts of heaven.

The beauty and perfection of heaven is that all who believe in Christ as there Savior will be there. Every nation. Every tribe. Every race and every people group will represent before the throne of God.

“And they sang a new song: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation’” (Revelation 5:9).

“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9).

The scene won’t be complete unless we’re all there.

I told my brother about the conversation with my daughter regarding our favorite Thanksgiving foods. I liked his answer, “Gravy – because it goes over all of it. You pour it on the turkey, the stuffing, the potatoes, and it makes it all good.”

I laugh as I think about that now. Maybe gravy is the grace that Christ poured out over each one of us who follow Him. Maybe gravy is the grace that covers us all with His righteousness so He can present us faultless before the throne. The gravy makes us good.

Have a blessed and gracious Thanksgiving.

Barriers to Giving Thanks

Throughout this month, on the Grow Barefoot Facebook page, I've been posting and commenting on verses from the book of Psalms that mention thanksgiving. To mention just a few…

• Honor Him with thanksgiving
• Thank Him repeatedly
• Thank Him for His goodness, His justice, His nearness
• Sing our thanks

These are the ideals.

Reality is that sometimes being thankful is hard, painful, and even impossible. Jerry Tharp, my church pastor, shared some barriers to giving thanks in his sermon this past Sunday. As we proceed through this week of Thanksgiving, I want to pass them along to you with some of my own commentary added to his.

Attitude of entitlement

Pride tells us we deserve what we have. After all, we’ve worked hard and earned it. But James tells us, “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil” (James 4:13-16).

To Battle this Barrier: Honest self-examination of who we are outside of God’s grace and the benefits we have received because of Him.

Unable to see God’s blessings

Judas walked with Jesus just like the other disciples. He saw the same miracles, heard the same words, and ate the same meals. Yet when the opportunity came, he betrayed Jesus while the other disciples served Him unto death. 

Some people marvel at the wonders of God; others couldn’t care less.

To Battle this Barrier: Genuinely ask God to give you eyes to see Him and the work He does through you and in you.

Heaviness of heart

This one is common in our culture. Death. Disease. Rejection. Disaster. A heavy heart easily overwhelms us in this sin-laden society. “I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears” (Psalm 6:6). Yet later in that same Psalm, “The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace” (Psalm 6:9-10). Psalm author David poured out his sorrows to God; by the end of the Psalm, God had comforted him and restored his joy. 

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall” (Psalm 55:22).

To Battle this Barrier: Do what you know is right through prayer and praise. Your emotions will almost always follow. You can control your actions whereas emotions often control you.

Extreme Busyness

Busyness plagues us all this time of year. I know the demands for my time will increase as we enter December. But I’m reminded of Mary and Martha. Martha focused on all of the preparations she had to do for mealtime while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus. Jesus response was “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

To Battle this Barrier: Let go of some stuff. Find strength through realizing what is important and what isn’t. Listen to the words of God when He says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

Envy

Home, car, job, spouse, clothes, whatever. Comparing what we have to what someone else has is a spiritual dead-end. Envy puts the focus on what you don’t have instead of recognizing the blessing of what you do have. Envy denies the truth that God has granted you with all that you need and many more blessings besides.

To Battle this Barrier: Learn to be content and trust in God’s promised provision. Contentment and trust aren’t natural responses; we must learn them through knowledge and experience.

My hope is to help you break down some of these barriers. I pray you experience the freedom and thankfulness God desires for us, not just this weekend but all year long.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful for Bananas & Vacations

I was driving in my car with my four year old when she asked me if Thanksgiving is the day we thank Jesus for things. I smiled and told her it is. She continued,

"Like grass?"

     "Yes, like grass."

"And trees?"

     "Yes, and trees."

"For apples and pears?"

     "Yep, apples and pears."

"And bananas?"

     "Even bananas."

"For houses?"

     "Yes."

"And cars?"

     "Yes, thankful for cars."

"And hotels and vacations?"

I knew she'd crack me up eventually. We have no travel plans for this holiday season and the last hotel and vacation experience she had was several months ago. However, the idea of a vacation and the fun of a hotel, as long as it has a swimming pool, are always forefront in her young mind.

In the Old Testament, thanksgiving (Hebrew: towdah) means confession which leads to praising and giving thanks to God. It also means to bring a thank-offering before God. Even the root of the word reveals that thanksgiving includes extending your hands before God in surrender, confession, and praise.

I am thankful for a lot this season. Like my youngest, I am thankful for creation, food, a home, and even vacations. I could add more to her list as well. But, most of all, I am thankful for a loving Father-God whom I can come before in confession. I’m thankful He turns my tears of repentance into tears of joy. I am thankful His Son died to make that relationship possible and will return again to establish a kingdom of peace on earth. I am thankful His Spirit indwells me now to guide and help me as I walk this journey on earth.