Thursday's Thoughts ~ Just read the directions

First Corinthians 16:13-14 is one of those jewels in Scripture where living life is summed up very succinctly.  We can make it very complicated when it is perhaps simpler than we think.

"Be on the alert, 

stand firm in the faith, 

act like men, be strong.  

Let all that you do be done in love."

Be on the alert.

Pay attention!  Certainly be on the alert for our true adversary.  We are told that he is always on the prowl. (1st Peter 5:8)

Be alert to the whispers, shouts and leading of the Holy Spirit.

Be alert for opportunities to love, serve, share, encourage and bless others.

Be intentional.

Stand firm in the faith.

I don't know when we have needed this more.  The pressure and temptation to be "less so" in our beliefs and actions is pervasive.  There is pressure to back off, fit in and shut up.  Jesus calls us to be kind but courageous.

Act like men.

Well, this is a little problematic for me!  In this context, I'm thinking it relates back to being alert and standing firm.  It is a call to step it up -- to live boldly and with purpose -- to be decisive and lead where God calls.

Be strong.

Boy, most days I feel weak, not strong, but the good news is that the Lord is mighty in my weakness.  So in those times, I need to be strong in my resolve to lean into His strength.  I rely on Him for the strength to be His woman in each and every situation.

Let all you do be done in love.

This is the umbrella over every thing that has been commanded here.  ALL is pretty ALL encompassing - isn't it?  How would my life change if I allowed this to always be my first thought - the filter that every word and action must go through before it takes place.

The Lord knows this is challenging.  In some ways, the other things seem easier, but without the love, they don't amount to much.  The heart of the gospel is love and only through the power of Jesus can we live that out.

I'm not that great with directions, but I want this passage to direct my steps each day.  I am thankful for the Word and how very down to earth with a heavenly touch it is.  I'm thankful that the Lord gives us direction and then gives us the power to follow it.

Thankful Thursday ~ My BIG God

I was reading Psalm 57 this week and just had one of those huge sigh moments when you are overwhelmed by the enormity of God's love and care.  Be encouraged by our very BIG God.

He is seen in the details and in the big picture.

Psalm 57, verses 1-3

Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me

(how desperately I am in need of your grace - apart from it I would be in big trouble!  I stumble around in my own struggles and sin - but your grace is bigger)

For my soul takes refuge in You 

and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge

(You are my safe place - I can crawl up in Your lap and You wrap Your arms around me.  I am safe and sheltered in Your shadow - protected and loved.)

I will cry to God most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me.

(It is Him -- His might, His power, His plan, His strength!  He accomplishes all things for me - not just some things -- all things.  I can rest in that.  I can leave worry and stress behind.  I can trust in His plans and purposes. )

He will send from heaven and save me.

(Yep - I am that important to Him.  Seriously -- hard to wrap my mind around that one!  You are that important as well.    His eye is on you.  He is never negligent.  He is never late.  He is always for you.)

He reproaches him who tramples upon me.

(He has my back -- all the time.)

God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth.

(What more could I need?)

My Grace Giver

My Refuge

My Safe Place

The One Who Accomplished All Things

My Defender

My Savior

I am thankful.

Monday Musings ~ Every day is Thanksgiving

I've been reading through the Psalms and as I read through Psalm 50, I noticed a familiar theme.

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving. 

Psalm 50:14

He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me. 

Psalm 50:23

This Psalm addresses Israel's willingness to readily sacrifice bulls and goats, but neglect to do the very thing that God really wanted them to do -- have a thankful heart.

It is a good reminder that God does not need anything.  Everything belongs to Him.  He is not hungry or thirsty.  He is not looking for a need to be met.

He does, however, know what we need 

and in this case it was a sacrifice of praise.

It is not difficult to praise God when things are going well, although, we can forget to do so.  We can begin to think that we have achieved much ourselves.  We forget that every good gift comes from the Lord.  With that said, when things work out, go as we wished and come together, we find it easy to thank God.

During difficult times, we may instinctively turn to God, pleading for help, strength and peace.  It takes faith and trust to move beyond that place of pain to a place of thanksgiving and praise.

Psalm 51:17 says "The sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

Faith and trust are exercised in the midst of heartache and struggle

      in the midst of "I just don't understand this"

           in the midst of injustice

                in the midst of fatigue

                                      frustration

                                            difficulties 

                                                      and

                                                         confusion.

The ability to praise God in every circumstance actually lifts you up above it - where you will perhaps have a more accurate (if not heavenly) view of the situation.

Our praise and thanksgiving demonstrates our trust in a good, loving, all powerful, all knowing Father who is always for us -- continually forming His Son in us.

If only our most joyous moments and our moments of deepest despair would both direct us to look to God and offer Him praises of thanksgiving!

He draws near and we see Him more clearly.

And in that moment -- 

we become more like Jesus.

Thankful Thursday ~ God's Majesty

I never cease to be amazed at the display of God's Majesty here in the mountains.  No matter how many times I trek down the Vallecito Creek Trail, I am in awe of the beauty of God's creation.  I am so thankful to have the chance to experience this and soak it in!  Here is a little thankful Thursday photo shoot.  You will see how God reveals Himself through what He has made!

 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

I tend to agree.

Have a blessed thankful Thursday!

Monday Musings ~ Be Still

Greetings from the mountains of Colorado.  I am loving every minute of my time here.  It is one of those places where it is a bit easier to "be still."

Be still (cease striving) and know that I am God

I will be exalted among the nations

I will be exalted in the earth

The Lord of hosts is with us

The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Psalms 46:10-11

Of all of God's commands, this may be the most difficult to obey!  

Be still

Cease Striving

It just seems to go against our human inclinations.  

There is value placed on busyness in our culture.  There is value placed on striving.  I'm not advocating laziness or not doing our work with excellence - but we all know when all those things going on around us take over.  We are driven by needs, demands, others' voices and even our own insatiable appetites.  Our minds are consumed with worry and what ifs.  The path ahead seems unsure and fear creeps in.

Let that be our cue to BE STILL.  CEASE STRIVING.

To deliberately rest in the Lord.

This command comes out of the truth in verse 1 - 

God is our refuge and our strength

A very present help in trouble

Then verse 2 says - 

THEREFORE, we will not fear.

Even if everything as we know it, changes.

Even if the future is unclear.

Even if we are struggling in our walk with Jesus. 

Even if we are overwhelmed and anxious.

BE STILL

CEASE STRIVING

Rest in the very capable hands of the One who loves you most.

The Lord of hosts is with us

The God of Jacob is our Stronghold.