Thanksgiving

 Thanksgiving

This is the time of year to celebrate gifts received by showing it in thanks- giving. We have received life, freedom, food, clothing, homes, health, work, and much more. (Thank you, God!) And we can therefore give out of what we have received – love, food, clothing, encouragement, a listening ear, etc.

We may regret choices or mourn losses gone by making it difficult to express thanks. Looking at these there are still many things that deserve appreciation. However, being thankful – like all emotions - is a choice. The promise of Romans 8:28 assures those who love God that all things work together for good – fitting into God’s good purpose for us.

Perhaps you have seen Pollyana? It is an old movie with a young girl who becomes orphaned and then adopted by her aunt. She played the glad game to adjust her attitude toward the disappointments in life. For each situation she found something for herself and others to be glad. It took effort to change her attitude and outlook  into a grateful mindset.

Reflecting on the year gone by, challenge yourself in expressing thanks as a grateful giver to God and then others.

 

Psalm 106:1 ESV Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

by Joy Pedersen

A Great Promise

 

A Great Promise

Bidding farewell to friends and family throughout life, I know some of the difficulty in letting go as they depart. Adjusting to the idea of life without them is almost unthinkable. Denial is usually my first response followed by sadness.  The assurances that they will stay in contact and/or return for a visit is often meant well but not fulfilled.

Jesus’s disciples were in a similar situation.  Jesus had prepared them with details of His death and resurrection, but now He began to prepare them for His ‘move’ back to Heaven. Leaving the gift of spiritual life for all mankind, Jesus was going away. For three years they had traveled together, ministered side by side, and been trained for their ministry roles – but His going away was unimaginable! How would they go on?

Startled by His announcement, Jesus left a promise for them and us that was designed to bring relief and hope. The communication was caring and compassionate as He readied them for this part of His and their journey. Jesus gave reason for His going – a promise! Unlike the farewell promises of mankind, however, Jesus’s was not in vain. He promised a Helper - almost a replacement of sorts - that we continue to benefit from. How?

The Helper (Holy Spirit) exposes the truth of individuals sinfulness, what righteousness is, and God’s judgement for those who do not have a love relationship with God and others. The message of salvation can be accepted and believed by the hearer when conviction is received. The Holy Spirit’s revealed truth is a weapon against the ruler of this world, Satan, who fights against truth.

How good to have a reliable promise to hold on to. In what time I am afraid, I have a Helper (Psalm 56:3). He makes us effective witnesses of Christ (Acts 1:8). He teaches us and reminds us to apply what He has said in the Bible (John 14:26). He goes with us wherever we go (I Corinthians 3:16). He strengthens us so we can mature in Christ (Romans 8:26-27). He helps become more and more like Christ (Romans 8:29).

Thank you Father, for the fulfilled promise of the Holy Spirit.

by Joy Pedersen

Good Friday

 

Good Friday

This is a day to truly reflect on the goodness of God toward mankind. Perhaps that is why it is Good Friday and not bad Friday? Scripture tells us that because God rescued His Jewish people and they were His, He had a confidence that they wouldn’t betray Him (Isaiah 63:7-8). But time and again God was betrayed, and loyalty was dismissed by those He cared for - through many many years.

The Psalmist describes the reward for loyalty in Psalm 85:9-11 (AMP).

“You (God) are ready to rescue everyone who worships you, so that you will live with us in all your glory. Love and loyalty will come together; goodness and peace will unite. Loyalty will sprout from the ground; justice will look down from the sky above.”

And here we are at Good Friday, when Jesus – over 2,000 years ago – paid our sin’s debt with His life on the cross. God’s love and loyalty to His created beings came together and He rescued us from the power of sin and death! It sprouted from the ground on a cross where Jesus hung. Sacrificing His life – for three days - that we might receive the goodness of God through salvation as determined with Jesus sacrificial blood and life. God’s goodness and Christ’s kindness deserve our loyalty and love from that day throughout eternity as we look on His glory.

[To review Jesus’ crucifixion and see how the heart of God most certainly suffered as His son went through one injustice after another and died cruelly, read Matthew 27. It is the reality of what Jesus did so that we can be rescued and share in the goodness, loyalty, and love of God.]

by Joy Pedersen

Chosing The Better Path

“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made…. Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one….” Luke 10:40,41

Can you feel it? 

The countdown to the end of the year has started with a vengeance! It’s that time of year when our time can easily be hijacked by cooking, baking, cleaning and shopping, family gatherings and work events. Our “To Do” list grows by inches, and even activities like decorating the house seem burdensome rather than fun. If we’re not careful, our joy is sucked up by stress. And not just because we’re busy.

 

Holidays can bring up all sorts of emotions and memories - some old and some very fresh - and often those memories can be painful. Perhaps this will be your first round of holidays without a beloved family member. Maybe you’ve just lost a job or a home. Or maybe childhood memories of dysfunction and abuse tied to family holidays are intruding on your peace.

The good news is, as Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, we can choose to do things differently than in years past. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s what – and WHO – is truly important. So let’s choose a better path through the days ahead by focusing less on DOING, and more on BEING. Being appreciative of all God’s blessings rather than complaining about what is missing. Being truly present for those we love by giving them our time and attention rather than gifts. Let’s simplify our days so that we spend less time in the kitchen (or the mall), and more time at the feet of Jesus. 

 - Janece Herrington