So Much More than Food

 

 

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,"  Romans 14:17

 

Happy Thanksgiving!  The turkey is  prepared to bake,  the chicken and dressing are ready for the oven.  Cakes, pies and congealed salads are prepared waiting for the right moment.  Ingredients for special casseroles sit upon my counter tops.  Everything is in readiness for the Thanksgiving meal.   What a feast it will be!  A dining experience anticipated year round.

As I contemplate my blessings today, I am reminded that there are others in this world- people that God loves just as much as He does me- who do not have lavish provisions.  They would not have the food in a month that we will sit upon the table this one day.  I am humbled  by my blessings and so grateful for God's provision.

But as wonderful- and delicious- as that all is, it is just food.  A source of sustenance and thank God for that!  But ultimately it is food that will be consumed over the next few days and then forgotten.   All except the pound or two that we pick up from our indulgence.  But what about the real blessings in life?  The things that dive beneath the tangible into the realm of the supernatural?  The everlasting?  If only I could quantify the number of prayers answered in the last 365 days.  If only I could weigh the grace, joy  and peace that I have received!  The righteousness that has been credited to me by Almighty God because of His  sacrifice!  How can I ever begin  to describe to you the ways that the Lord has led me this year?

The Kingdom of God is so much more than food and drink!  And although I am moved, humbled and grateful for those blessings, they just do not compare!  My salvation- the ability to avoid  eternity in hell- is so much deeper, sweeter and satisfying.  It is a gift, a blessing, that I did nothing to  deserve.  Knowing that makes it even more precious to me!

So, today as you recount God's material blessings in your life, count high and long!  He deserves your thanksgiving!  But go beyond that.  Begin to recall all His manifold blessings- both spiritual and temporal.  Remember your Source and rejoice!

Dear Lord, I pray a blessing on all that read this today.  Flood  our mind with memories, knowledge and understanding of all the blessings that we enjoy in You.  Help us to understand Your love- how deep, wide and all encompassing that it is.  Anoint us to praise and thank You as you deserve.  In Jesus  Name.  Amen.

 

Overtaken by Blessings

 

 

  

Deut 28:1-2

 

"Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord  your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord  your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord  your God..."    NKJV

I have worked from home for our youngest child's whole life. Although it is a tremendous blessing to be with him (and my older children as well) it is quite a challenge to get much done with a preschooler underfoot and only 1-2 days per week of child care.  Because of that, I have often found it cheaper to bribe him than to hire a babysitter.  I negotiate with him, "Andrew, if you will play and let me work from now until Daddy comes home, I will take you to the Dollar Tree and get two prizes!" Two dollars is cheap childcare by most anyone's standards.  The pitfall to that is that he began to think that every time he was good he should be rewarded with a prize.   A habit I neither want, nor can afford, to perpetuate!

 

When I read the first few verses of Deuteronomy 28, I get so excited about all of the blessings that the Lord outlines that are available to me, His child!  I deserve death, judgment and an eternity in hell, but He saved me- and gave me everlasting life.  How could I dare to ever hope for more than that? And yet I can do much more than hope!  I can rest in His promise that it will come to pass.

 

It pleases the heart of God when we grant Him lordship and obey his decrees.  His commandments are for out benefit.  They are given to keep us from bondage, pain and sickness.  Avoiding the things that He prohibits is a blessing in itself.  But He will place an additional blessing for obedience on top of that.  It is essentially a triple-fold blessing.  That is the best deal around!

 

Are there areas of life that seem to be cursed?  Do you feel impoverished rather than blessed?  I urge you to check out the rest of this passage to see if you can find an area of concern that you can correct, and put yourself back under the spout of God's  provision and blessing.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for all of the wonderful blessings that you constantly pour out into my life.  Show me any areas where I am not walking in obedience.  I desire to  walk i the center of your will for my life.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

                                         

You Have Got Two Choices

 

 

"This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have  set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."  Deut.  30:19

I started off today with a bright idea and good intentions.  I had some work to do in Panama City, but it would not take long.  So I decided to make it a fun day with my two younger boys.  Before I ever left home, it became glaringly obvious that my little one was as ill as a sore-tailed cat (whatever that means!).  I seriously considered canceling, when I heard his cough.  But I just wanted to go.  So being a good mom, the negotiations (and Tylenol) began.  If you will straighten up and be sweet we will go by "Toys R Us" and get you a prize.  Then it was on. Bad behavior, dangle the toy; repentance;  promises of future goodness...bad behavior; dangle the toy.. you get the picture right?

As the day was winding down it became apparent that he was too cranky to maintain good behavior and a positive attitude.   Finally, his last mercy chance had expired. He wailed, he moaned, he pleaded and begged. My mother's heart was torn into pieces.  I began to pity him: He doesn't feel well after all.  That was probably the best he could do...  But I stopped myself; explained to him that he had two choices: 1) Be good/get a prize.  2) Be bad/forfeit a prize.  I reminded him that he went with option #2 despite constant encouragement from me to be good.  Thus, he had chosen not to go to "Toys R Us" and get a prize.  He did not seem to grasp that he had held his potential in his own hand.

Then of  course, the Lord began to speak to my own heart about this verse.  He has given us two choices:  1) death; 2) life.  And even some instruction:  "Choose life."  It  really is that simple.  I may want the goodies of God, the prizes and blessings, but if I am walking in sin... I choose death and to forfeit all the good He has stored up for me.  He loves me; He wants to bless me.  But my behavior ties the hands of God.  Just as I was today; but infinitely greater, God is bound by his Word.

If you  are not happy with your life circumstances.  Ask  yourself, "Am I choosing life?"

Dear Lord, help me to choose life and obedience rather than rebellion and death.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Sherri