Focused Thanks

November 26, 2008
Text: Col. 4:2-6
Title: Focused Thanks

Thoughts:

It seems everywhere I turn, I am reading blurbs of friends and family preparing for their annual trip to some other place this week. Whether they’re flying to another island or driving to another state, people are on the move. In fact, one person even dubbed today as “the travel day.” Her next words were, “Everyone have a safe travel day.”

For those ladies with a meal plan for tomorrow, I suppose today is a prep day. And, yes, the guys are preparing too. It just happens to be for football and belly stretching exercises, rather than work.

I guess what I am really getting at is that Thanksgiving has become filled with so many activities, many of which are neutral regarding their character. These activities aren’t necessarily intrinsically evil or good. They just are. Nevertheless, they create a busyness that can detract and distract us from our true purpose.

When I read Paul’s words to the Colossians this morning, I thought about his reminder to them. He says in 4:2, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” Seeking to narrow their focus, Paul called them to prayer and to keep that prayer focused with thanksgiving. Prayer was what they were to devote themselves to. Thanksgiving was how they remained focused on prayer.

As I thought of our busy lives, I thought we might all need a simple reminder to let thanksgiving keep us alert on our Thanksgiving Day mission. Let’s remain alert on the reason we’re driving to see family, preparing the food, and gathering everyone together. It’s not for football, to relish in our culinary skills, or to raid our in-laws’ homes. Thanksgiving is our intentional call to give thanks to God for all He has done!

Application:

What are you thankful for this year?

Think of a word picture that can help you stay focused on the purpose of Thanksgiving. At every opportunity, employ this word picture to keep you alert on your mission.

Above all, don’t let Uncle Harry’s issues divert your focus. Nor Aunty Sally’s driving. Give Thanks!

Prayer:

Father,

In this season of thanks, I often get so distracted by the attractions of the holiday that I fail to truly stop and give thanks for all You have done for me. You have truly worked marvelously in my life. You have blessed me with good things and fed me with the fat of the land. Words cannot express Your love and mercy that have been extended to me. May I live worthy of all You have done!

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One

November 24, 2008
Text: Luke 17:11-19
Title: One

Thoughts:

It was virtually incurable. Its scars and shame meant one thing: you were shunned. As you traveled you cried aloud, “Unclean! Unclean!” It was a testament to the fact that you had leprosy. There could be no more painful disease, both physically and socially, than leprosy.

Luke 17 tells of ten lepers who stood at a distance as Jesus passed by. One would assume they had heard of His healing powers. Therefore, they cried aloud for His mercy. And, to their delight He responded and they were healed on their way to the priest.

One would think a body could not overlook such a precious gift. After years of shame, and facing many more, it would seem the new found freedom of life and restoration to the community would be consuming. Surely, you would return to the One who had done what no one else could do.

Nevertheless, only one returned. And this one, a despised outcast because of his ethnicity.

The whole story seems a bit bizarre, but it’s really all too familiar. How often have I been caught in the embarrassing situation of my sin and shame, cried out for God’s help and seen His deliverance, but failed to return to give thanks for what He has done? In our society the new found freedom, release of shame, and healed scars finds the individual with a microphone in their hands, a book deal, and appearances on tv, as if we had done something great.

What about Jesus? Are we returning to the One who has healed us? Maybe we need to forfeit the friends and family tour for some alone time with Jesus.

Application:

Has there ever been a time when you have cried to the Lord out of desperation? Did He work on your behalf?

How often do you return to give thanks to Jesus for all He’s done for you?

In what ways can you express your gratitude for Christ’s work this Thanksgiving?

Prayer:

Father,

It’s a bit embarrassing to think about all You have done for me and how often I have acted like the nine. Lord, create in me a thankful heart like the Samaritan. A heart that is quick to return to give thanks for all You have done for me. You have changed my life, delivered me from shame, and given me hope. I want to live my life in thanksgiving to You.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I Bow My Head

November 25, 2008
Text: Ps. 103:1-5
Title: I Bow My Head

Thoughts:

In his book FOLK PSALMS OF FAITH, Ray Stedman tells of an experience H.A. Ironside had in a crowded restaurant. Just as Ironside was about to begin his meal, a man approached and asked if he could join him. Ironside invited him to have a seat. Then, as was his custom, Ironside bowed his head in prayer. When he opened his eyes, the other man asked, “Do you have a headache?” Ironside replied, “No, I don’t.” The other man asked, “Well, is there something wrong with your food?” Ironside replied, “No, I was simply thanking God as I always do before I eat.”

The man said, “Oh, you’re one of those, are you? Well, I want you to know I never give thanks. I earn my money by the sweat of my brow and I don’t have to give thanks to anybody when I eat. I just start right in!”

Ironside said, “Yes, you’re just like my dog. That’s what he does too!”

Ray Stedman, Folk Psalms of Faith.

Perhaps the gentlemen in this story would have done well to apprise himself of the lovely 103rd Psalm. Here, David instructs himself to bless the Lord for all of the many things He has done. Indeed, His benefits stir one to thanksgiving.

Whether it be His healing or forgiveness, God is gloriously worthy to be praised. He has redeemed our lives from death, provided food upon our tables, and satisfies our lives with good things. May we pause, bow our heads and lives, and return thanks to our God this Thanksgiving.

Application:

How often do you pause as a family to give thanks for God’s blessings? As an individual?

When we say “the blessing” over our food, are we repeating a habit or truly pausing to recall how thankful we are for what we are about to receive?

Prayer:

Father,

I must admit, my thanksgiving at times is a routine rather than a true heartfelt response of my gratitude. Locked in the busyness of life, I seldom reflect upon Your bountiful blessings to me. Today, everywhere I look, may I see Your hand and blessings. As I do, may I recall how You have…redeemed my life from the pit, forgiven my sins, and restored my life. You, are an awesome God!

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I Wonder…

November 21, 2008
Text: Matt. 3:13-17
Title: I Wonder…

Thoughts:

As the Scriptures for today’s devo flashed on my screen, I began with a question that started like this, “I wonder if…” From there my mind hit several quick wonderings about this incredibly great God we serve. Here’s a few of them…

I wonder why God comes to us, when we are the ones needing to come to Him (Mt. 3:13). Isn’t it a bit ironic how God’s love works?! As desperately as humanity needs to get to God, Jesus comes to us. The whole idea of God leaving heaven, with all of its amenities, and clothing Himself in flesh is a bit overwhelming. I guess it’s just His love for us!

I wonder why a perfect and holy God wants to use broken and dysfunctional people (Mt. 3:14-15). The thought of John baptizing Jesus, who didn’t really need baptism because He had never sinned, blew John away. Here, a just and holy Jesus was asking a man to treat Him as normal?! It’s puzzling to think that our perfect God chooses to come to and use His people. Couldn’t He just make things happen Himself?

I wonder if God says about His children, “This is My beloved Child, in whom I am well-pleased” (Mt. 3:16-17). As Jesus emerges from the water of the Jordan river, there was a theophany…a God encounter. The entire Godhead showed up to proclaim one thing, “This is My beloved, Son in whom I am well-pleased.”

As several of our people are being baptized tomorrow, my thoughts dashed to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. With visions of the family of God lining the water’s edge, I thought of God’s presence and words over His children. As a proud Father, He’s preparing to say to the world tomorrow… “That’s My Child and I couldn’t be any happier about them.”

Certainly, we all have our wonders…I suppose mine is, “I wonder why He loves me so?!” Relish in His love over YOU today!

Application:

Have you ever recognized the extent to which God is pursuing You? How are you responding?

Jesus asked John to baptize. What is He asking you to do?

Pause to hear the Father speak His love over YOU.

Prayer:

Father,

I have so many pondering thoughts that flood my mind and soul about You. I cannot imagine how and why You love me so. Yet, when I take the time to reflect upon Your goodness, I see Your love displayed everywhere. May I hear Your words spoken over me today. And, may I live my life in the manner which brings You pleasure.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.