A Searching God

 

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 them 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).

 

When Faith and Logan were almost two, they began to learn how to conquer the steps in their two-story home. As you can see from the picture each had a different approach. Faith preferred to back her way up the stairs one step at a time. Logan on the other hand, simply began to forward crawl up each of them. It was both exciting and terrifying to see them going up and down in those early days. This picture I’ve included today is one of the hundreds I have loaded on our digital picture frame. When I saw it earlier, I was reminded of how foolish we can be spiritually to imagine that “climbing” our way to God is something we either need to do or even can do.

 

In our reading today, David declares we have a “searching God.” We are assured that his love goes far beyond human circumstances. God knows our heart perfectly and cares about our deepest needs. He sends his Holy Spirit to bring us salvation, even as we stray from him or go through difficult and unfamiliar terrain. When we are hurt, when our situation looks bleak, when we are haunted by dark, anxious thoughts, we must remember that we are not alone. Our loving and caring God is always near and is able to help.

 

He has already come to us. This season, whether it is full of trials and challenge, please remember you do not need to crawl or backward scoot your way to Him. He has already descended to be with us forever. Jesus said: “Lo, I am with you even unto the end of this age” (Matthew 28:20). Trust Him to care for you in every way. Thank Him for His presence!

 

An Ungrateful Heart

 

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-17 ESV)

 

William Arthur Ward (December 17, 1921 – March 30, 1994) was an American motivational writer. He has written more than 100 various articles, poems, and meditations which have been published in many magazines both Christian and secular. Our meme today contains one of those quotes: “A complaining tongue reveals and ungrateful heart.” Our reading today gives us a startling example of such ingratitude. Jesus was met by ten men on the road into Jerusalem. They were all afflicted with the dreaded disease of leprosy. Jesus healed them all. Yet only one returned to him in gratitude.

 

During his teaching ministry Jesus was often unappreciated. In today’s verses we read of Jesus healing ten men who had the disease of leprosy, for which sufferers became outcasts. Leprosy made people “unclean,” and doctors had no cure for it. Jesus sent the men to the priests so they could be declared “clean” and become part of their community again. But only one of the ten came back to thank Jesus. In a gesture of humility, “he threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.” The other nine simply got what they wanted from Jesus and moved on.

 

We all know what it means to be unappreciated. A loving mother is hurt when a delicious meal she has prepared for her family is taken for granted. A worker is disappointed when his initiative and extra effort go unnoticed by his supervisor. A friend feels used when her help isn’t acknowledged. It’s ironic that the only grateful person was a Samaritan. The Jews viewed Samaritans as greatly inferior, both physically and spiritually. But this foreigner genuinely praised God while the others went their own way. When we call out to Jesus for his grace and mercy, he saves us. I wonder if we are more like the nine than the one? This is a great season to “throw ourselves before him, thanking and praising him.”

 

Handwritten Thank You Notes

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9 ESV).

 

Are you old enough to remember writing or receiving handwritten thank-you notes? Those cards with polite words of thanksgiving to a host, friend, or associate used to be quite common. I still mail them occasionally. But judging by recipients’ surprised reactions, it’s not so common to receive such notes these days. We rush through our lives forgetting to thank people who show love and care for us.

 

The book of Philippians can be described as a long and amazing thank-you letter. The apostle Paul wanted to express his gratitude to the believers in the city of Philippi for the gift they had sent after learning of his imprisonment for preaching the message of Christ. Led by the Spirit, Paul also sought to encourage them to stand firm in persecution and to rejoice, regardless of their circumstances. What a great way to say thank-you!

 

The unyielding joy Paul shares with his readers is based on the great truth “The Lord is near.” Our loving God is never far away from his children. He is standing with us in our suffering. He knows what we are going through, and he is always ready to guide and comfort us, even in the most difficult situations. Nothing can separate us from his wonderful love!

 

Let me encourage you to say “thank you” often and in many different ways this month. Even for the people who are paid to do their service for you. I find it so amazing what those two words can mean for others. It is just another way that we might share with others the love we have received from Christ.

  

Thanksgiving and Generosity

 

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (2 Corinthians 9:10-15 ESV).

 

While we were traveling last week we stopped at a motel along the way. We have stayed there a time or two in the past. We chose it because it was about the right distance from Gatlinburg making our second day of travel a bit easier. However, two of the other necessities were that it be a pet-friendly motel and that it be close to a restaurant to get dinner upon our arrival. The one we chose had a Cracker Barrel literally across the parking lot. Mary and I decided to order a takeout meal and as I got out of the car to run in and get it I was met at the car door by a man named “James.” He politely approached me and asked if I could buy him a meal. My response to folks who are hungry is usually the same. I invited him to follow me into the restaurant and we would order his meal and I would pay for it directly to the restaurant. He was very grateful.

 

After placing the order with one of the staff, I heard an interesting remark. The staff member directed his remarks to the hungry man as he said, “We can’t be doing this all the time. You can’t be approaching people when they get out of their car asking for food all the time.” I was a bit confused and irked. James apologized to both the staff member and me for the inconvenience; and, I wondered if this wasn’t one of those times when I got to “entertain angels unaware.” When James’ food was brought out, he said to me, “Have a blessed day.” I returned the salutation to him and he left.

 

In today’s passage the apostle Paul adds another important dimension to gratitude. A powerful preacher like the apostle goes beyond the need for the right words or proclamations. He challenges the Corinthian church to view their generosity as a natural extension of their daily Christian witness. The apostle shows how God can use their monetary gifts for fellow believers to help others discover the gift of God’s grace and prompt them to give thanks for Christ as well. He also points out that such Godly generosity comes as a response to God’s gift of salvation. I hope we will remember, especially this month, that our actions often speak louder than words.

 

Thankful for the People in Our Journey

 

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand yin the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:15-23 ESV).

 

The Apostle Paul uses every one of his letters to the churches found in our New Testament to express his thanksgiving for the people he had met and ministered to along his missionary journeys. Today’s reading is one of those “thank you notes.” I suppose that’s one of the hallmarks practiced by another one of my favorite people, Barbara Bush. Her quote is attached here also: “Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success will be how you treat other people – your family, friends, and co-workers, even strangers you meet along the way.” With our current culture the way it is, perhaps it’s time to reevaluate whether we are thankful to people whom God sends into our lives. The Bible teaches us to love both God and our neighbors. The daily practice of this love includes thanks both to our heavenly Father and to the people around us.

 

When the apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians, his main objective was to explain God’s eternal purpose and grace. He sought to share with his readers God’s high goals for the church. Yet against the background of this monumental task, the apostle remembers to say how thankful he is for the ordinary believers in the city of Ephesus. He compliments them for their devotion to Jesus and for their love for all God’s people. He encourages and prays for them.

 

I wonder if we are overdue in expressing our gratitude to those people God has put “in our way”? This is a good time to correct that if we are!

 

Bootstraps and Gratitude

 

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:15-21 ESV).

 

The old adage of “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” destroys true gratitude. I certainly am not an advocate of becoming dependent and weak; however, I have found myself in the position of being unable to be independent and self-sufficient on more than one occasion. Even with bootstraps, I couldn’t pull myself up! Yet, I continue to hear people who tout their ambition, drive, and perseverance as their secret to success. I suspect this is true in many people’s hearts. In a culture of self-reliance it’s not unusual to recognize only our own contributions to our success. Sadly, in our pride we tend to forget not only the other people who have helped us along the way, but especially God himself. Today’s reading teaches us three important truths about thanksgiving.

 

§  First, God the Father is the one to whom we should be thankful. He is the source of our strength and intelligence. And being thankful to God means we should also acknowledge others whom he has guided to help us.

 

§  Second, we should be thankful always and for everything. This can be really difficult. But in God’s strength we can be mindful of his love even in the midst of severe trials and struggles. That’s the only way to escape bitterness and self-pity.

 

§  Third, our thanksgiving should be in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Only through him can we truly know our heavenly Father and his amazing love.

 

Transform your thoughts by directing your gratitude toward the people God has brought into your life at just the right time to help you succeed in life. Above all thank God for Jesus, who alone gave us the ultimate “win” of eternal life!

 

The Power of Gratitude

 

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (Colossians 2:6-10 ESV).

 

November brings with it the celebration of a season devoted to gratitude. My hope is to spend as much time writing about being thankful during the coming weeks. I am fully aware that this may not be a very popular topic at this time in our history. It seems we are more divided and antagonistic towards others than ever before. Our economy continues to teeter on the brink of recession. Crime and violence are increasing at an alarming rate. Health issues still seem to affect so many people. Families are divided and torn in more directions than I have seen in my experience. So, what is there to really be thankful about?

 

Our reading today is from the letter written by the Apostle Paul to a church that faced many difficulties. He encourages them to be thankful as they face these incredible difficulties. This is a theme commonly found in the Scripture. In today’s verses we discover that an attitude of thanks is deeply rooted in our encounter and friendship with God, in the person of Jesus Christ. Note that it doesn’t depend on external things or our life’s circumstances. Rather, it’s connected to our knowledge of and faith in God. To put it simply, the better we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the more thankful we are. Our daily walk with him helps us experience the true abundance of godly thankfulness.

 

This month I invite you to reflect with me on thanksgiving and gratitude. The Bible is filled with passages on this subject, and in the next few weeks we are going to explore many of them. Let us be prayerful and patient as we dig into God’s Word for new and exciting insights. Today, find that one thing, even though it may appear to be insignificant and small, think of that thing with gratitude. For me it will be thoughts of family. Just reciting their names brings so many wonderful memories to my mind. I am thankful for each of them more than words can describe. Start turning your mind and heart toward gratitude. It will make a difference.