Thankfulness in Our Hearts

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV)

In everything we say and do, above all it’s essential to keep the love of Christ in our hearts.  For when we have that personal, intimate relationship with our Savior, every day becomes Thanksgiving.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

True Courage

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

Men: Life can feel terribly overwhelming at times.  Between work responsibilities, caring for our families, household bills, and a seemingly never-ending list of tasks to accomplish, even the most stalwart of us can feel burdened and fearful.  When those moments occur, instead of allowing the darkness to poison our spirits it’s essential we lean on the strength of our Heavenly Father to bolster our resolve, and see us through our trials.  True courage isn’t facing adversity on our own, it’s boldly realizing that we’re never on our own.

Completely Transparent

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.

Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.” – Psalm 139:1-12 (ESV)

Abraham Lincoln’s famous statement “You may fool all the people some of the time, you can even fool some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time.” Is missing one important sentence: “And no matter what you do or say, you can’t EVER fool God.”.  To our Heavenly Father, we’re completely transparent; whatever outward appearance we portray, whatever words we speak, whatever actions we take, our true intentions, heart and mind are known to Him.  Does what you say and do in front of others reflect your true heart?

Laboring in Vain

“Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.” – Psalm 127:1-2 (ESV)

In all of our daily endeavors, it’s essential that we pursue our tasks with the conscious involvement of our Heavenly Father.  While working hard and giving diligent attention to our responsibilities is absolutely important, if we don’t strive to bring God into our lives and make Him a part of everything we do, those efforts to a great extent will be futile.  Only by realizing and embracing our dependence on God’s grace and mercy can our toils yield the fruits of those efforts.

An Idol by Any Other Name…

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Our God is in the heavens;
he does all that he pleases.

Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.” – Psalm 115:1-8 (ESV)

Although most people don’t visit temples to worship graven images and statues, many still practice some forms of idolatry in their lives.  When we place more importance and priority on things of this world than we do seeking God’s presence, we’re doing exactly that.  Be it money, technology, alcohol, sex or any other worldly endeavor; when we place temporal things above our Heavenly Father in our hearts, it pulls us from Him and obscures His voice.  By identifying those idols in our lives and asking for God’s help in removing them, we draw ourselves closer to Him and remove the barriers that keep us from becoming what He desires us to be.