Today's Miracle

 

 

Matt 6:11

 

11 Give us this day our daily bread.                

NKJV

 

Today I was thinking about my financial state and plotting a strategy for Christmas.  My initial thought was panic, it is a month away, how am I going to pull this off debt-free?!  Then my mind took me back to last Christmas when I had this same concern.  And then I had an epiphany.  God provided last year and He will this year as well.

So many times,  I notice the huge break-throughs that God sends my way; but then I overlook the small day-to-day miracles.  I think that is why this verse reminds us to look to Him for each day's  sustenance and provision.  We do not need to  see how it will all come together, we just need to trust Him for this day.  He is a God of big miracles, little  miracles and medium-sized miracles. There are situations that I never do identify what He did to get me through,  This happens a lot with money- but all of a sudden I will realize, "Wait a minute!   When did that problem go away?"  And sure enough, at some point when  I did not notice, He had altered my situation.

As a wife and  mother, I will often do little things that I think will  bless my family.  I buy their favorite cereal, do a chore that is typically theirs, take care of a need before they ask, etc.  I do it because I love them and want to see them smile.  Then I find myself hovering near, wondering when it is going to hit them that I did something for them.  I live in a houseful of  guys so even if they notice, saying something about it is not the norm.  But I imagine the Heavenly Father doing things like that for us, just waiting for us to recognize His  handiwork!  I am prayerfully endeavoring to notice His blessings in my life.

As I am trying to remain in a season of thankfulness, I am more keenly aware of all the ways, both large and small, that He  meets my needs.   Can you think of three things that was a concern a year ago but is a non-issue now?  That's God in your life!

Dear Lord, thank you for faithfully and quietly meeting my every need from day to day.  Forgive me for the times that I fail to notice Your marvelous works.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

And Be Thankful!

 

 

Col 3:15

 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

NKJV

 

Sometimes the way Scripture is put together gives me pause.   Take today's verse, for example.  It spends most of the verse talking about the peace of God, and at the end? An imperative "...and be thankful." (!!!)

My mind immediately wonders, what is the relation between the two?  I know that the mind and heart of a Christian should be at peace.  I see the wisdom in allowing peace to "rule."  In fact, I try very hard to avoid doing anything that my heart does not rule is in keeping with peace.  If I am not at peace in a situation, I try to drop it.  This allows me to stay in God's will and avoid many pitfalls.  Furthermore, I try to retain my  peace,  and when it starts slipping, I begin to ask the Lord to show me where I have failed.  All of this is a great benefit of being born again- and for my (and your) good.

I love how this is portrayed. We were called to peace as one body.  This could be confusing until we remember that we are baptized into the body of Christ.  Once we are saved, we are ”positionally" located in Christ in the supernatural realm, even while our bodies remain on  Earth.  It is a mystery for our minds, but a great truth- us in Christ, Christ in us! 

So now that we understand that we are in Christ, then we are, by virtue of our placement, in peace.  Scripture records that He himself is our peace (Col.  3:15)  Being in Christ indicates that we have become a part of His body.  In His body is our peace.  Thus, we are in peace and peace is in us.  What beautiful prepositions!  Ours is a glorious inheritance in Christ.

Therefore,  we must remind ourselves to be thankful.  And of course, remembering that He has purchased our peace, gives me a reason to give thanks!

Dear Lord, I am thankful today for my peace.  Thank you for endowing me with Your peace and for allowing me to be led by peace.   I am  truly grateful of the way you take care of me.

 

Be Thankful

“Let the peace of Christ rules in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.”  Colossians 3:15

 

It is Thanksgiving season once again.  A time to be thankful for all that God has done for us.  As we buy the groceries, stuff the turkey and mix up yet one more casserole, we must pause to remember the reasons why we are thankful.

This passage of Scripture is rather interesting.  It talks about the importance of peace in our heart, peace within the body of Christ, and then out of nowhere- we are commanded to be thankful.  The two thoughts seem distinct and separate and yet there is obviously a correlation between peace and thankfulness.

The Old Timers used to admonish us to count our blessings.  Have you ever given it a whirl?  I have and never once have I been able to make an exhaustive list.  There is always one more thing for which we can be grateful.  As I began to count all of the things that God has done for me- saved me, given me health, given me His Spirit to guide me, blessed me with a wonderful family, a nice home, dependable vehicles, a job… I begin to recall all of the times he has come through for me and become keenly aware of how much He loves me.  All of that reminiscing builds my faith and brings great peace.

In the busy-ness of your week, try to set aside some time to allow his peace to rule in your heart.  And be thankful!

Dear Lord, thank you.  Thank you for freedom to worship you.  Thank you for a wonderful church family, friends, parents, children, food, shelter, water. Thank you for every bit of it.  I know that every good gift is from you and I am so thankful.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.