Give Thanks All Year

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. (Psalm 107:1); Always use the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST to thank GOD the Father for everything. (Ephesians 5:20)

An estimated 55 million people in the U.S. will take to the air and roads this week to be with family on Thanksgiving Day .

Thanksgiving is the one American Holiday when people will fly or drive across the country to reunite with close relations and rekindle familial bonds. Throw in the traditional turkey dinner with all the usual trimmings and a football game on TV and you have a traditional American Thanksgiving. For parents and grandparents, especially, to have the entire family under the same roof all at once, (for some in the same city or state) is more than enough to be thankful for.

Thanksgiving ought to be much more for the children of GOD. This season should remind us of all the many miraculous ways that GOD has worked, and continues to work, in our lives. We must make thanksgiving a year-round lifestyle.

But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation…. Psalm 79:13.

No matter the season, our thanksgiving is offered to our GOD and Father – our sacrificial worship for all eternity.

Too often in our prayer we thank GOD for our creature comforts only – food, clothing, shelter, our new car, children’s health and academic progress, careers, etc. Without question, GOD is our Good Shepherd who provides these things for us and our loved ones. But there’s much more.

GOD gave us many Bible verses to inspire us to more thoughtful and meaningful ways to thank Him throughout the year. Here are a few.

Thank GOD because:

• He’s CREATOR of everything and it’s all good. (Genesis 1) “Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of GOD and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:4-5
• His LOVE is perfect and enduring. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34
• He gives GRACE for life and godly living. “I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in CHRIST JESUS. For in Him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge.” 1 Corinthians 1:4
• He SATISFIES our every need. “Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8-9

Thank GOD anytime and in all circumstances.

• In our private or corporate prayer and worship settings. – “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. Psalm 100:4
• As we engage in our daily tasks and leisure activities, and raise families. – “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the LORD JESUS, giving thanks to GOD the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17
• In good times and bad. – “Give thanks in everything, for this is GOD’s will for you in CHRIST JESUS.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18;
• As overwhelmed and troubled. – “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to GOD. And the peace of GOD, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in CHRIST JESUS.” Philippians 4:6-7
• Feeling inadequate and unable to cope. – “But thanks be to GOD! He gives us the victory through our LORD JESUS CHRIST.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

From Genesis to Revelation we have learnt that GOD works all things together for the joy and deliverance of His people but ultimately for His glory and His Name. So even when life is hardest for us, we continue to give thanks to GOD. “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me.” Psalm 50:23.

We obey His commands for thanksgiving, not just for our good, but for His Glory!

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your Name, O Most High. Psalm 92:1.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, we acknowledge you as GOD Most High, Creator of Heaven and earth and everything on it. You are perfect and you do all things well; we thank you that every good and perfect gift come from you. We thank You because You are holy, all wise and all good; we thank You for Your perfect plan ordained before the beginning of time and the indescribable gift of JESUS CHRIST our SAVIOR and LORD that gives us victory over sin and eternal life with You. Teach us to love You only and obey Your word. To you, Father, be dominion and power for ever and ever. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Some Things are Inevitable

I was walking through my neighborhood this morning and was just past this tree when something made me stop and take a step back.

As you can see from the picture this tree has already lost more than half of its leaves. But it seemed to me that this poor tree was fighting with everything to hold on to what was left, trying to prevent the inevitable even as one leaf after another broke away and fell to the ground as I watched.

And a thought came to mind, this is how we must look in GOD’s eyes in our foolish and prideful struggles to hold on to things that are useless and dead rather than yield to His will and plan to give us the Kingdom.  

Thank GOD, our Father knows who belong to Him and Whose will prevails in the end. So, He waits patiently, knowing that it’s only a matter of time before we wear ourselves out, come to our senses like the prodigals we are, let go of the rot and accept our divine fate.

Then, GOD will be right there waiting to take us into His season of rest, restoration and renewal – just as will happen with this tree.

The Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you… Isaiah 30:18

Don’t forget to turn your clocks back this Sunday!

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, YOU wait to give us the Kingdom because it pleases YOU to do so, for YOUR Name and YOUR glory. We give thanks to YOU who have all dominion and power for ever and ever. In JESUS Name. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

GOD’s People Are Kind

“One of the most difficult things to give away is kindness, it usually comes back to you.” Anonymous

The Bible from Genesis through Revelation reveal all aspects of the divine character of GOD.  We learn that GOD is awe-inspiring in His sovereignty and majesty (1 Chronicles 29:11) but we learn also that GOD is tender and generous in His kindness (Isaiah 63:7.)

GOD is kind not just to those who love Him but to the ungrateful and evil (Luke 6:35. All whom He created benefits from GOD’s kindness, (For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45;) but GOD is especially kind to those who have relationship and kinship with Him through His SON.

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7-8

“…you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48

We are only children of GOD who are born of GOD. As we exhibit the character traits of our birth parents, we who are His children must also reflect the character of our heavenly Father. GOD is kind so we must practice kindness also, especially to others in His family (Galatians 6:10.) 

Our kindness to each other pleases GOD. But here’s the hard part, GOD wants us to be kind to our enemies as well (Luke 6:27-28.) This can be a difficult pill for us to swallow but those who belong to GOD must obey GOD and not act on our feelings. We must please the Spirit who lives in us and not our flesh. For those who are led by the Spirit of GOD are the children of GOD (Romans 8: 14.)

And kindness is a fruit of the Spirit with no restrictions.

Be kind even if you think it’s undeserved.  

God our Savior showed us how good and kind he is. He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. Titus 3:4-5

We received kindness from GOD that we didn’t deserve.

GOD sent His One and Only SON to the cross for undeserving, unrepentant sinners like you and me. (While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8) We don’t get to decide who’s deserving and who’s not. GOD alone is judge. We get to exercise the privilege of obeying GOD’s law which says be kind to others – without limits, or fanfare, or expectation of return, and to whomever needs it; and do it out of love. (Ephesians 4:32; 1 Corinthians 13:4)

Kindness is a virtue every child of GOD must desire to live by:

• We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 2 Corinthians 6:6
• The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness… Galatians 5:22
• Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Colossians 3:12
• A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, …and be patient with difficult people. 2 Timothy 2:24
• Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 
• Kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people. Philemon 1:7

Christian author and Pastor J. R. Miller (1840 – 1912) wrote in his essay, The Splendor of Kindness:

Kindness has been called the small coin of love. The word is generally used to designate the little deeds of thoughtfulness and gentleness which make no noise in the world — rather than the large heroic acts which all men note and applaud. One may live many years and never have the opportunity of doing any great thing — but one may always be kind, filling all one’s day with gentle attentions, helpful ministries, little services of interest and sympathy, and small courtesies….Kindness as a rule, is done unconsciously without preparation, without thought. This enhances its beauty. There is no self-seeking in it, no thought of reward of any kind. It is done in simplicity, prompted by love, and is most pleasing to CHRIST.

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O GOD! Psalm 36:7

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Loving Father, YOU are the essence and source of kindness. Forgive us when we fall short of living out the virtue of kindness and help us to reflect more of YOUR character in our daily lives and less of selfishness and pride. Thank YOU for giving to us undeserved kindness that leads us to repentance and new life in CHRIST. To YOU belong all dominion and power for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the Name of our Savior and LORD, CHRIST JESUS. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Trust GOD, Your Place of Safety

Trust GOD, my friends, and always tell Him each one of your concerns. GOD is our place of safety. PSALM 62:8 (CEV)

The children of GOD do not get a free pass for a life with no letdowns, betrayals, fears, disappointments, hurts, pains, and losses. 

However, being a child of GOD does give us an unmatched advantage over the rest of the world – a promise from the Creator of the Universe that we will never go through a dark valley without Him walking alongside us.

When suffering is more than we think we can bear, we wonder if GOD no longer cares for us and has abandoned us. Never! GOD, the Omniscient One, knows exactly where we are at all times and how we are suffering and is right there in our vale of tears.

A child of GOD is never forgotten or abandoned. GOD’s WORD assures us of that:

• The Lord’s people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through. Psalm 34:19
• We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, GOD is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again. 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9
• Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? Romans 8:35

No matter how dark the circumstances GOD is still the good Father and a safe place for those who are His family in CHRIST.

Even so, we may well wonder and cry, why me?  If GOD loved me that much as to send His One Son to die for me, and if as promised my life is now hidden in CHRIST, why aren’t I exempt from suffering? 

Why do GOD’s children suffer?

While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I (JESUS) have defeated the world. John 16:33

There is no easy or pat answer as to why believers suffer, or why some suffer more than others, or why some never seem to suffer at all.

The life of a CHRIST follower is one of trust and faith in the GOD who created us and orchestrated our salvation. We trust in His total sovereignty and believe and have faith in His WORD and its promises.

GOD never promised that His children would miss the storms of life. Just the opposite (JOHN 16:33); the Scripture tells us that we will suffer the same storms of life that the rest of the world suffers but, unlike the rest of the world, our suffering has divine purpose.

And we know that GOD causes all things to work together for good to those who love GOD, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:28-30

GOD’s desire is that all His children become like CHRIST and GOD will Himself ride out the storms with us to the very end to ensure that we get to where He wants us.

We can struggle to hold on to these truths when days are dark. That's when we need encouragement and help to restore our hope and faith, and GOD helps us through these times. He becomes our Strength, and our Tower of safety where we can rest (Proverbs 18:10). He transports His strength to us through His WORD, as well as through Spirit-filled saints in the Body of Christ.

GOD comes alongside us and carries us until we can regain our footing and are strong enough again in our faith walk.

Faith and hope can only be restored through GOD’s divine design.

The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort. He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble. We share in the terrible sufferings of Christ, but also in the wonderful comfort he gives. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

We must never feel ashamed to seek and accept comfort and help from others in the family of GOD when we become weak in our faith because of a dire trial. 

GOD wants us to lean into the Family of GOD; He designed His family to meet each other’s spiritual needs. Godly friends and mentors are there to offer comfort and intercession for us when we are too spiritually fragile to help ourselves. At some point in our lives we will get an opportunity to return the favor.

We must seek out those who are strong in faith as we are weak, and have suffered as we are suffering. If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord’s followers whose faith is weak. Romans 15:1.  Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of CHRIST. Galatians 6:2

Prayer and reassurances of GOD’s truth spoken through the Holy Spirit can lift our spirits, shine light in our darkness, change our focus, remind us that GOD’s love still surrounds us and inspire us to keep moving towards GOD. When we are strong enough again, we go to the Father on our own behalf. 

We ask the Holy Spirit of truth to guide our minds and thoughts as we pray so we do not entertain any false truths about our suffering. We rebuke fear and boldly take hold of GOD’s promised power and love; we thank our Heavenly Father for being with us in the trial and for His strength to lean on as we walk through it; and we pray all in the Name of JESUS CHRIST, the One who initiates and perfects our faith.  

Until our present troubles are over, and for all time, we put all our trust in GOD, because He alone is our safe place.

God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe, and he is the fortress where I feel secure. Psalm 62:6

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, we give all honor, glory and power to You our GOD, full of grace and compassion. You invite us to bring all of our troubles to you. You hear our every groan and You bring us comfort and hope. You give us strength when we are unable to carry on, You remind us not to fear when we are despairing of our circumstances because You are working all things out for our eternal good and Your glory. Mighty Shepherd, we are the sheep of your pasture, teach us to know your voice and believe your WORD and its promises which nourishes our soul and never fail. All dominion and power belong to You for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Good Works GOD's Way

You have been saved by grace through believing. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from GOD.  It was not the result of your own efforts, so you cannot brag about it. GOD has made us what we are. In CHRIST JESUS, GOD made us to do good works, which GOD planned in advance for us to live our lives doing. Ephesians 2:8-10

If you recognize yourself in this Bible verse, a person saved by grace through faith and a new creation in CHRIST JESUS, then you’re already aware that GOD has prepared “good works” for you to do here on earth.

GOD gives each of us specific skills for the work He has planned for each of us to do (1 Corinthians 12:4-11,28.) This means that my good works are very likely going to be different from yours. However, GOD designed all of our good works to work together for one purpose – to satisfy His divine plan. We don’t know how many millenniums more this may take to accomplish, but we do know that we are workers together with God (2 Corinthians 6:1) in making it happen.

As co-laborers with GOD, we must aim for excellence. GOD does all things well and He wants His team of workers to give their best as well.

How do I know if my good works are meeting GOD’s standards?

New believers, and some seasoned, often have doubts and questions about where they fit into GOD’s divine plan. “What does GOD want from me?”  “Where can I serve GOD best?” “What exactly are good works?” The answers come through earnest prayer, fellowship with mature believers, and peer discussion. Our own intuition and a genuine willingness to be totally submitted to GOD’s will are also key to revealing our purpose.

But there’s little point in knowing GOD’s specific plan for our lives if we’re not going to do the best job we can. 

Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the LORD and not for men. Colossians 3:23

GOD’s Word gives us everything we need for serving Him with excellence:

• The reason for excellence. God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. Colossians 3:12a. With His gift of salvation to us who believe we became GOD’s beloved children as well as His “holy people,” those who've been set apart from a dark world to bring glory to the Heavenly Father. (1 Peter 2:9,12.)

• Tools that produce excellence. So, you should always clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12b. A true believer has the Holy Spirit living within who produces in us the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-23.

We apply this reasoning and these tools to everything we do daily, and we can rest assured that our good works are meeting GOD’s standards. 

We show we are servants of GOD by our pure lives, our understanding, patience, and kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by true love, by speaking the truth, and by GOD’s power. We use our right living to defend ourselves against everything. 2 Corinthians 6:6-7 (NCV)

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, all praise and glory be unto YOU! Thank you for choosing us to be co-laborers in YOUR divine plan to restore order to YOUR Creation, and for the Holy Spirit who gives us skills and the tools for excellence in all that we do for YOUR good pleasure and YOUR glory. To you belong all dominion and power for ever and ever. We pray all things in the Name that is above all other names, our LORD and Savior JESUS CHRIST. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Imitate JESUS - Resist Temptation

We live with temptation every day and how we respond to it will impact the course of our lives, for good or evil. While giving in is solely our choice, the consequences can have far reaching effects for others.

A perfect example of temptation to sin’s far-reaching consequences.

When our first father Adam gave in to Eve’s influence and Satan’s lies in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) all succeeding generations “fell” prey to the same sin default line and all suffered the same devastating consequences. The world as a whole lost intimate relationship with the Heavenly Father.

By His grace, GOD chose to repair the breach between Himself and humanity later in history. He sent us a second Adam, Christ JESUS, to atone for the sin of the world and reopen the Way back to the Father.

Humanity is destined to a life of continuing sin and ultimately, separation from GOD, unless we accept the Father’s gift of grace and become His new creations in CHRIST.

We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us. Our desires make us sin, and when sin is finished with us, it leaves us dead. James 1:14-15

Scripture tells us temptation is a product of – the desire of the eye (greedy craving for what others have that we think we deserve); the pride of life (the desire to look good in the eyes of others, achieve status, to impress); and the lust (or desire) of the flesh. (1 John 2:15-16.)

These are the three lures that Satan used to entice Eve in the Garden of Eden and with JESUS in the desert (or wilderness.) Only each had totally opposite responses and consequences.

The temptation in Eden

“God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it (the forbidden fruit), and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” Genesis 3:5

Satan very successfully planted doubt in Eve’s mind by suggesting that GOD had hidden motives for telling her not to eat of the one tree in the middle of the Garden (“It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat.”). He convinces Eve that GOD was the deceiver when He said “you will die” if she ate the fruit. Satan declares “You won’t die!”

Satan was the real deceiver; he caused Eve to accept a false truth. That GOD was withholding from her what she deserved – good tasting food, beauty, and equality with GOD, wisdom to know good and evil.

All Eve had to do was recklessly disobey GOD, which she did with disastrous consequences for all of us.

The woman stared at the fruit. It looked beautiful and tasty. She wanted the wisdom that it would give her, and she ate some of the fruit. Genesis 3:6

Satan’s web of lies worked with Eve to awake her carnal desires:

1. Desire of the eyes – the tree was beautiful.
2. Desire of the flesh – the fruit was tasty. Satisfying our carnal appetites
3. Pride of life – wisdom that will make her equal to GOD. Gaining status and power

…and the Fall of all mankind was the outcome.

The temptation in the desert

Then the devil came to him and said, “If you are God’s Son, tell these stones to turn into bread.” Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say…: Matthew 4: 3-4

The Holy Spirit led JESUS into the desert so that Satan, the devil, could test Him. This took place over a period of forty days. During that time JESUS was fasting (Matthew 4:1-11.)

1. First the devil uses JESUS’ extreme hunger to appeal to the desire of the flesh. He tells JESUS to turn the stones into bread and eat, if He is the SON of GOD. JESUS’ response? ““The Scriptures say: ‘No one can live only on food. People need every word that GOD has spoken.’” (Matthew 4:4)
2. Next the devil urges JESUS to jump off the highest point of the Jerusalem temple so observers below could witness the angels swoop down to catch Him and bear Him gently to the ground. Imagine how such an event would make JESUS the center of everyone’s attention and get everyone to acknowledge Him as the Messiah. A form of desire of the eyes – doing anything to be exalted in the eyes of people, seeking the approval of others. JESUS’ response? “The Scriptures also say, ‘Don’t try to test the Lord your God!’” (Matthew 4:7)
3. Finally, the devil tempts JESUS to worship him in exchange for political power and status – the pride of life. The devil promises to make JESUS ruler of all the kingdoms on earth if He will bow to him. JESUS again responds with the Scriptures – the Word of GOD and He dismisses Satan: “Go away Satan! The Scriptures say: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” (Matthew 4:10)

Satan’s deception failed with JESUS. Why? JESUS had faith in the power and truth of GOD’s Word. 

The outcome from faith and belief was a successful ministry for JESUS and, ultimately, the salvation of the world. By His resistance to Satan’s evil designs, JESUS fulfilled His ministry and mended what Adam and Eve broke.

Anyone wanting a relationship with the Father, it is theirs for the taking.

GOD has given us everything we need to experience intimacy with Him.

While Satan can entice a child of GOD with his lies, He cannot outwit us and make us do anything we don’t want to do. JESUS proved that. 

As new creations in CHRIST our first and foremost desire should be to follow His lead, to become more like Him. 

"Every Christian is to become a little Christ. The whole purpose of becoming a Christian is simply nothing else”. ~ C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity~

Scripture tells us to “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11-14. GOD’s armor includes the sword of the Holy Spirit which destroys the devil’s lies – this is the Word of GOD.

The Word worked for JESUS in the desert and it will work for us today; but only if we know it as well as JESUS did.

Studying the Word will make us mature Christians with Christ-like desires that generate Christ-like decisions.

JESUS CHRIST was tempted in every way that we are. But He did not sin! (Hebrews 4:15.) We don’t have to sin either! Not if we follow CHRIST’s lead and fully surrender to His and the Father’s life principles.

If we do, the devil will leave us alone. (James 4:7)

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy and Righteous Father, thank You for JESUS our Teacher, Savior and LORD, who was tempted in every way that we are today, but never sinned against You! Thank You that He now lives to show us the way by Your Word and His Spirit and to intercede for us when we fail. To you belong all dominion and power for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the Name of JESUS. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

You Have it All – You Have A Rich GOD!

I’ve been reading “Saving Grace: Daily Devotions from Jack Miller" by C. John Miller and wanted to share this quote with you!

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

Do you know that you have it all! You have a rich God. You have the grace and love of God in Christ Jesus, the Spirit of God, the power of God, and the presence of God. You’re a new creature! You’ve been brought out of death and made alive.

Even though you know all this, do you still think of yourself as poverty-stricken? Are you tempted to believe that if you could have just a little bit of something else, you would be safe and secure and happy? Are you ruled by anxiety? Do you think about yourself and your problems a great deal?

God calls us to set that aside, to live by faith, and to know that we are rich in him.  In Christ, you lack nothing. You need nothing but him.”

This is one of these devotional gems that bring an explosive “Hallelujah!” praise to the lips and give the feet wings for the day ahead. Such encouragement for the believer!

Prayer and Thanksgiving (Mine): Giving thanks and praise to Our Holy and Righteous Father for our LORD and Savior, JESUS CHRIST, in whom we lack nothing! Thank YOU, Good Shepherd. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile