Thankful. . . .

A quote this week has had a remarkable effect, not just on me but on those who hear it. The quote: “Every thing that is wrong in the world would be settled if everyone was thankful.” I shared this with friends whose stunned reaction was silence, some with mouths open at the implication of what thankfulness does to all our vices. Another said, “Yes, instead of greedy.”

For me, I’m thankful for salvation and all that God has done in my life. I realize that if the bad stuff didn’t happen I would never know how He could use it for good. I’m thankful for my mother’s mantra: “We must need it or we would not be getting it” — her expression of trusting God for even the trials of life. I’m thankful for the Word of God and that He reveals Himself. This covers much, as the Bible says:

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. (Acts 17:24–25)

Sometimes I’m impatient with those who moan because they do not have what they ask God for, as if they know what is best and the best timing for it. As Piper writes, God’s timing is “well-timed” and we can depend on Him for all things.

This includes the weather, the government, and even the wisdom and understanding I need while living in this very messy world. His truth keeps my heart stable when I think how. . . .  
He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; (Daniel 2:21)

This faith in Him is the product of my doing? Not at all. I can moan too. It is His grace and goodness, a wonder that is amazing yet so humbling. I do not deserve even the least of His blessings, yet He keeps blessing and gives the invitation to come close to Him in confidence to receive more — including His perfect timing.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

This does not negated problems, trials, emergencies, difficulties, and sorrows. Heaven will, but here these happen. How else would I know that God can use even the worst of experiences for good? His sinless Son was murdered. He could have stopped it. Instead He used it for the best thing that ever happened. How can I know that His power is like that? For that incredible event, but also for the evil things since then, and for the unpleasant and unwanted things that happen to me? He is not helpless nor standing idle. He is God.

PRAY: Oh Lord, so often Your people forget or doubt Your amazing power and wisdom. You can take bad and use it for good. This includes everything. I cannot see what Your plans are, nor know how You do it, but because of what You reveal about Yourself, I can trust You. In doing so, my heart is filled with the joy of being contented and thankful. Such grace, such wonderful grace.

God is not dead . . . He is Alive!

On Easter morning, Christians greet one another with “He is risen” and “He is risen indeed!” We know that the skeptics and atheists say God is dead but the people of Christ know otherwise. He is ALIVE. And for that reason we celebrate Easter. Today I take a step back to the beginning of this alphabet devotional looking at who God is and what He does and go to the letter A.

In the OT, alive and living refer to having a dwelling place. For the Lord God, it is usually said to be heaven where God listens to the pleas of His people when they pray, and when He hears, He forgives. (2 Chronicles 6:21).

But God does have an earthly dwelling too. Even though He is transcendent and omnipresent, the OT says He is “enthroned between the cherubim” above the ark of the covenant and also “enthroned in the praises of His people.”

To be living is a common NT description. When it comes to God, the same word is used to describe Jesus’ resurrection life. The disciples first “heard that Jesus was alive” but didn’t believe it (Mark 16:11). The news came from the women who had taken anointed spices to the tomb only to discover that His body was not there. Then two angels said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5) and they hurried to tell His disciples.

When they saw the empty tomb, Peter and John realized something wonderful had happened; Jesus was raised to physical life from physical death . . .

Acts 1:3. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Jesus walked with them, ate with them and invited them to touch Him. He was indeed alive, never to die again. He is the same yesterday and today and forever — alive. However, He does not dwell in buildings or temples made by man . . .  

Acts 17:24–25. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

Instead, He lives in the hearts of His people and as God’s people, we who have faith in Him know the reality of His presence with us. Sometimes, if we get caught up in worldly living like the church in Corinth did, we need a reminder . . .  

1 Corinthians 3:16–17. Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Yet He never forsakes us as Jesus promised: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. The Cross is empty. The tomb is empty. Because He LIVES, and because I know Him, walk with Him, talk with Him, my heart is full.

 JESUS HAS RISEN! HE HAS RISEN INDEED!