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.

 

We Went Through

 

   

Ps 66:8-12

 

8 Oh, bless our God, you peoples!

And make the voice of His praise to be heard,

9 Who keeps our soul among the living,

And does not allow our feet to be moved.

10 For You, O God, have tested us;

You have refined us as silver is refined.

11 You brought us into the net;

You laid affliction on our backs.

12 You have caused men to ride over our heads;

We went through fire and through water;

But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.

NKJV

 

Thanksgiving is a time to focus on the blessings in our lives.  The things, the people, the blessings that enrich our lives are worth recalling and giving thanks. If we take the time to review the past year, we will all have different testimonies with varying degrees of "wow factor", but still we have a testimony to share.  Did the Lord heal your body?  Make financial provision?  Encourage you with good  friends?  For all of these things- give thanks!

Some of us look back over the last year and see  a time of testing,  trial and growth.  The blessings of it all may be less obvious.  But even within that there is a testimony, "We went through fire and through water; but you brought us out to rich  fulfillment."  Sometimes our testimony is simply this, "I have been through some hard stuff, but I am still here!"  There are situations that are difficult to find the blessing in.  But there is never a time that we cannot look back and see the Blesser in the middle of it all.  Maybe we did  not hear his voice audibly.  Perhaps we did not feel goose bumps, but if we came through, we must recognize His keeping hand was upon us.  He has sustained us and kept us from falling.

Dear Lord, thank you for all you have done on my behalf this past year.  Help me to see Your hand in all that you have brought me through  as well as in the good things you have brought my way!  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

 

Today's Bread

 

    

Matt 6:11

 

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

KJV

 

Ah, the season of being thankful.  November is the month that everyone starts listing all of the things/people/blessings that they are thankful for.  This is a wonderful practice, and I believe, does indeed make us more grateful.  When we are constantly looking at what we do not have, then we become discontent and dissatisfied.  But when we purposely call to mind all that the Heavenly Father has done for us, gratitude begins to well up within us.

I have heard of other countries that are not nearly as materially blessed as America having a greater attitude of Thanksgiving.  One  evangelist reported to our congregation that he knows of one country who has people working six days per week, 10-12 hours per day to make what we make in less than a day.  But he stated that when it is time to give their offering at church, that they come forward with tears of joy and Thanksgiving because they are able to give to God.  This should strike the heart of every American who is living the American Dream.

Today's verse is an excerpt from the Lord's Prayer.  Jesus himself exhorted us to pray for today's bread.  I am going to be honest.  I prefer having more security than that.  It hurts and stretches me when I have more month than  money.  But even then, our family has more than a day's worth of  food.  Even then. 

As I was praying about what to share with you during this season, I feel the Lord  urging me to remind you to be grateful for what you have, even if  it is less than you used to have.  Be thankful even if it is less than what others have.  Trust God. Ask Him for what you need each day.  Then, remember to return  thanks as He supplies.   If you have more than you need in a given day, you are richly blessed.

Dear Lord, your blessings on me are abundant.  Forgive me for greedy grabbing, always wanting more and more without realizing what you have already provided.  Help me,  Father, to constantly have an attitude of gratitude and an abiding knowledge that you are my source of today's bread. In Jesus' Name.   Amen.

 

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.