Can you feel it?
There is a sense of change in the air.
Leaves are gone, chill winds whip like a frenzy around us, and stores skip past our day of Thanks-Giving in preparation for Christmas.
Likewise, our churches begin to anticipate a new season in Christ.
We also begin thinking about the Christ Mass, now called Christmas.
Yet, we must never forget to give thanks, not only on this special day at the end of November but every single day.
Again, before we continue our devotions, here are a few quotes and a note of ‘transition.’
CS Lewis: “When we lose one blessing, another is often, most unexpectedly, given in its place.”
Henri J. M. Nouwen: “The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy.”
TRANSITION: Some churches follow a pattern of worship according to seasons and, at the same time, focus on the ‘seasons’ of Christ’s life. This last week of November we finish a year of scripture readings and begin to transition from the growing season into Advent. We spent late Spring, Summer and Fall growing with Christ as we watch the fields grow fresh produce.
In the same way, as the Holy Spirit is ‘planted’ into Christ followers at Pentecost, growth follows. With nurturing from the Apostles, these ‘new plants in Christ’ were watered and fed and grew strong. Then the harvest came when many were called to be leaders. They were called to ‘feed and water’ by discipling, or teaching, others. The ever rotating process of growth is to plant, feed, grow, harvest, then begin again. With growth, Christ followers multiply.
During this Pentecost season, we walked with Jesus and learned how to live a Christ-centered life. Now we transition into a new season where we begin again as we walk through the pageant of the coming, advent, of Christ. We change gears as we prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth-day in December.
Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of November, marks this transition with a change of color, in the sacramental churches, from green of the 'growing season' to a soft blue of Advent, four Sundays of anticipation and preparation for Christ's birth. Every denomination celebrates this transition differently but all churches retain our focus on Christ as we celebrate the presence of Jesus as Lord of our Life.
11-24 Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King Sunday
Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 46; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-42
Luke 23:34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
The last scripture in this year’s selections pierces the heart. Jesus’ body was pierced with a crown of thorns and then heavy nails pinned him to the cross. We end another year of reading through scripture with emphasis on the Gospel of Luke. We begin again with emphasis on the Gospel of Matthew as we anticipate a new beginning during Advent.
Yet, these words, “Forgive them for they know not what they do,” rings in my soul. Sometimes I meet a person who is not polite or who tries to cut corners or does something that I know a devoted Christian would never do. I pray quickly in my heart, “Forgive them, Lord, for they do not know You.” I then pray that they would be drawn into the presence of the Lord.
Some days I step back after watching the news and wonder, has any one of these people who profess ideologies so against God's best for us ever heard the Gospel?
Do they know how much they hurt the Lord with their strong rhetoric against that which God desires for us? “Forgive them, Lord, for they do not know what they do,” is my constant prayer.
We are called to know Christ and make Him known to others. Truly knowing Christ Jesus means maintaining an intimate relationship with Him. Peter, James and John spent most of each day for three years with Jesus to learn everything they could before being called into leadership roles. Yet, they still did not understand much until the Holy Spirit descended into the souls of the Christ followers.
There is no way we can truly ‘know’ God through His Son unless we spend daily time with Him. Even then it might take our entire life to truly ‘know’ Him. While we are growing a little closer to the Lord each day, we most likely bubble over with this ‘newness’ of life and share with others what we learn. We are spreading the Gospel, the story of Jesus Christ.
Think about it: The more we know Christ the more we want to tell others. The more we tell others, the less we will have to pray “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” We cannot influence the world but perhaps we can influence those closest to us: family, friends, those at work, those we see often. That small beacon of light that glows within us grows brighter as we grow more intimate with the Lord.
Sometimes the weight of the Cross, the weight of being a responsible Christian, can be overwhelming. Whenever other’s words or ideologies pierce your heart, step back, breathe deep and ask the Lord to embrace you and hold you tight. Let the Lord give rest to your soul.
Pray the words of Jesus, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Psalm 106:47 “Save us O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.”
11-25 Joel 3:1-2,9-17; Psalm 106:1-48; 1 Peter 1:1-12; Matthew 19:1-12
Instead of a sweet melody you might hum in the shower, this Psalm speaks of ungodly behavior time and again, from the beginning of the Hebrews’ salvation experience with the Exodus, until and through their Babylonian captivity. The numerous times God’s grace ‘saved’ these wandering people is amazing. Each time God helped them through a rough spot that they got into themselves, mostly by not seeking God’s direction, they would ignore the Lord or choose their own way.
At last, by the end of this Psalm, God’s people are begging the Lord to rescue them, to bring them back to Jerusalem. “Bring us back to our temple worship so we can glorify you properly,” they seem to say. Easier said than done. Yet, God is faithful and does bring them back to the land of promise.
Think about it: Is our Christian walk any different? We go about our merry way giving little regard to daily time with our Lord. We make our own decisions without prayer or without counsel of another Christ-centered person.
When it is too late, we realize that the decision we made for ‘self’ is not the best. We call upon our Lord to rescue us by saying, “If you save me from this situation I will do anything you want.”
Being a Christian is not making bargains with God. The Lord will rescue us time and again but just as any loving Father, there are consequences. These consequences may challenge us in new ways so that we grow closer to our Lord. In the same way the Hebrew people took decades to learn how to focus on God, we also may take decades to truly understand the commitment we made when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Jesus loves us so much that He wants the best for us. Sometimes the ‘best’ is being sent to Babylon.
Can you think of a Babylon experience as a consequence for turning away from the best path that the Lord may have laid out for you? Did you grow from that experience? God so loved us that He desires the best for us. If we keep our eyes on the Lord, great things may not happen but at least we will not feel like we were sent to Babylon.
11-27 Obadiah 15-21; Psalm 119:145-176, 128,129,130; 1 Peter 2:1-10; Matthew 19:23-30
Obadiah 21 “Those who have been saved shall go up to
Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s”
This last verse of this one-chapter book says it all. The end result of God’s intervention is divine rule over all the nations with Mount Zion as the capital. This is totally opposite of what was actually happening. But God promises to make ‘good’ out of a bad situation IF, and only IF, God’s people return to Covenant relationship with their One and only God. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The book of Obadiah, the shortest book in the OT, is nestled between Amos and Jonah and was written about 587BC. Obadiah means “servant of the Lord.” This oracle declares judgment against the people of Edom, southeast of Judah beyond the Dead Sea. Jacob’s brother, Esau, lived in Edom long before these events. Edom became wealthy by capturing fleeing Hebrews, who were then sold to the Babylonians, during Jerusalem’s capture (587-586 BC).
These verses show God’s promises for Judah. Obadiah announces the day of the Lord’s judgment upon nations for their shameful behavior. He then proclaims God’s promise: The return of Israel’s exiles to the Promised Land, their domain over Edom and the Lord’s universal Sovereignty.
Think about it: Are we reading more of the same? Perhaps. Do we find ourselves repeating the same sin against God no matter how hard we try? Sometimes it is hard to break a habit. Just as the Israelites could not break the habit of turning away from God to worship other gods or other nations,we are no different.
Sometimes by ignoring God’s best for us, not listening to that small, directive, voice within us, that murmuring to ‘change direction’ we are caught in a very uncomfortable situation. Our conscience has been pierced by the power of the Holy Spirit within us. If we do not practice daily moments of quiet listening, we cannot hear that voice. That voice directs our path and protects us from what we might think to be a disaster. God just sees our ‘digression’ as a learning experience. We are no different than these Israelites. YET, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us.
11-27 Obadiah 15-21; Psalm 119:145-176, 128,129,130; 1 Peter 2:1-10; Matthew 19:23-30
Obadiah 21 “Those who have been saved shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s”
This last verse of this one-chapter book says it all. The end result of God’s intervention is divine rule over all the nations with Mount Zion as the capital. This is totally opposite of what was actually happening. But God
promises to make ‘good’ out of a bad situation IF, and only IF, God’s people return to covenant relationship with their One and only God. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Obadiah, the shortest book in the OT, is nestled between Amos and Jonah and was written about 587BC. Obadiah means “servant of the Lord.” This oracle declares judgment against the people of Edom, southeast of Judah beyond the Dead Sea. Jacob’s brother, Esau, lived in Edom long before these events. Edom became wealthy by capturing fleeing Hebrews, who were then sold to the Babylonians, during Jerusalem’s capture (587-586 BC).
These verses show God’s promises for Judah. Obadiah announces the day of the Lord’s judgment upon nations for their shameful behavior. He then proclaims God’s promise: The return of Israel’s exiles to the Promised Land, their domain over Edom and the Lord’s universal Sovereignty.
Think about it: Are we reading more of the same? Perhaps. Do we find ourselves repeating the same sin against God no matter how hard we try? Sometimes it is hard to break a habit. Just as the Israelites could not break the habit of turning away from God to worship other gods or other nations, we are no different.
Sometimes by ignoring God’s best for us, not listening to that small, directive, voice within us, that murmuring to ‘change direction’ we are caught in a very uncomfortable situation. Our conscience has been pierced by the power of the Holy Spirit within us. If we do not practice daily moments of quiet listening, we cannot hear that voice. That voice directs our path and protects us from what we might think to be a disaster. God just sees our ‘digression’ as a learning experience. We are no different than these Israelites. YET, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us.
In order to practice ‘listening’ to that small voice of God’s direction within us, take a few moments throughout the day to stop, sit down, put away what you are doing. Breathe deep and slow about five times. Linger in nothingness. Only ask the Lord to come alive in you by saying, “Come Holy Spirit . . . fill my heart with Your Love.” Wait. See what happens.
Note of THANKS-GIVING November 28, 2019
We have had little sleep but much JOY over the past week. The day we moved into our new little abode, the
Lord surprised us by finding a buyer for the abode we left! God is so very faithful - seldom early but never late. During the time of unpacking we negotiated, stopped, prayed, negotiated some more and prayed some more. “Are we honoring you, Lord? Give us clarity and discernment, Lord.” He did.
I give THANKS, also, for my smart phone Hot Spot! I have tried to be faithful by posting meditations daily. I was resigned to not posting the other day because the internet had not been hooked up yet. I gave thanks to the Lord for grace, knowing I would have to post a day late. Voila! The Lord popped into my head, “Hot Spot.” Sure enough, I was able to connect my computer to my phone and post the daily meditation!
God loves technology too! It’s a great tool to send forth God’s wisdom and to touch hearts wherever these thoughts and His Word appears.
His word never goes out void. Praise God from whom ALL BLESSING flow.
And so, today is the official day to give THANKS. Our hearts are bursting!
In fact, I could not select from just one book.
Each reading points to Thanks and blessings.
Each passage speaks for itself.
Each reading points to Thanks and blessings.
Each passage speaks for itself.
EnJOY!
11-28 Thanksgiving BLESSINGS !
Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 100; Philippians 4:4-9; John 6:25-35
Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 100; Philippians 4:4-9; John 6:25-35
Deuteronomy 26: "When you go into the Promised Land and settle in it and grow crops, you shall take some from the land and offer it to God in a place where God says. :3b “Today I declare to the Lord your God that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our ancestors
to give us. :4b A wandering Aramean was my ancestor . . :10 So now I bring the first fruit of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me :11 Then you shall, together with the Levites and aliens who reside among you, celebrate with all the bounty the Lord, Your God , has given to you and to your house."
Think about it: We think we are so clever to ‘create’ the First Thanksgiving after the pilgrims and American Indians shared a meal together. The Hebrew people celebrated their First Thanksgiving! when they entered the Promised Land after having left Canaan, Israel, to go to Egypt many decades earlier.
Psalm 100 “Make a Joyful noise onto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness. Know, ye, that the Lord, He is good. It is He who has made us and we are His. We are his people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with THANKSGIVING and into His courts with praise! Be thankful onto Him and bless His name for the Lord is GOOD and His mercy endures to all generations.”
I memorized this when I was in third grade. I then stepped away from any acknowledgement of God for about 20 years. When I began to seek Him, at the age of thirty, this psalm came forth as if I’d memorized it afresh. God’s Word never goes out void. This version is a mixture of KJV and NASB and me. The gist is that I do make a joyful noise as this psalm bursts forth at the most interesting times. Yesterday I unpacked a ‘dish-pack’ of endless glasses. The paper alone could fill a house. It seemed to take forever. I make a JOY-Full noise and smile.
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say Rejoice! :6 Do not worry but in everything , by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. :7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus. :8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just whatever is pure and pleasing and commendable, if there is any excellence, and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” :9 Keep on doing the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in Me, and the God of peace will be with you."
Think about it: What more can I say! God is so very good to us. Hubby and I feel totally blessed and at peace with all that is happening around us. The Lord has given us energy in these late years we never knew was in us. We ARE keeping on, rejoicing in Him, giving praise every five seconds or so. The Lord has truly given us clarity of mind as we unpack, negotiate, pray, and unpack some more. Where are those bowls so we can have some oatmeal? LOL
John 6: The crowds found Jesus to be fed with loaves
and fishes again but Jesus tells them to work for the food of eternal life :29 "Believe in Him who God has sent. :33 The bread of God comes down from Heaven and gives life to the world."
Think about it: This takes place just after the feeding of the 5000. The crowds follow Jesus and the apostles as they take the boat across the sea of Galilee. The people walk around the top part of this large lake and meet Jesus and his crew as they arrive in Caesarea. Jesus gives them food for the SOUL and reminds them of the GREAT THANKSGIVING of the previous day.
Can you imagine bringing some dried fish and pita bread to your community event and feeding all who attend? “He broke it and blessed it.”
It’s in the breaking that blessing comes forth. It’s in the brokenness that life blooms anew. Our brokenness is mended because of our life in Jesus, God’s only begotten Son. Jesus suffered greatly as he was broken on the Cross for us so that we might live each moment giving thanks, even if some moments bring tears and heartbreak.
Can you imagine bringing some dried fish and pita bread to your community event and feeding all who attend? “He broke it and blessed it.”
It’s in the breaking that blessing comes forth. It’s in the brokenness that life blooms anew. Our brokenness is mended because of our life in Jesus, God’s only begotten Son. Jesus suffered greatly as he was broken on the Cross for us so that we might live each moment giving thanks, even if some moments bring tears and heartbreak.
At this time we are filled with joy but remember those in our family who are no longer with us. Some died far too young. They are celebrating a grand thanksgiving with our Lord! Amen!
Think about it: Suffering does not have to be overt. We ‘suffer’ when we choose to put Christ first and ever-so-politely refuse an invitation by a neighbor to have brunch on a Sunday morning. We need not make the point with our neighbor that everyone should go to church on a Sunday morning. Yet, we can say, “Because I made a personal choice to make living in Christ a priority, I have dedicated Sunday mornings to worship and give thanks for all of the blessings the Lord has provided each week.” We can then move on to say, “I’d love to have brunch with you any other day of the week.”
Our “suffering” should come from grief in our soul over those who do not yet know Christ. That’s why ‘suffering’ through our daily prayer for those we love is the best kind suffering. We may suffer for their souls but they see our JOY.
11-29 Isaiah 24:14-23; Psalm 140, 141, 142, 143:1-12; 1 peter 3:13–4:6; Matthew 20:17-28
1 Peter 3:13-17 “Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear
what they fear and do not be intimidated but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear so that when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.”
This passage is from a letter of instruction that circulated among the churches in Asia Minor and was referenced in the second century by such great theologians as Polycarp, Tertullian, Iraneaus and Clement of Alexandrea. Christianity was developing at such a great pace during the time of the Apostle Peter’s life that he most likely preached these words where he could and had his words written down to send out to other Christian communities.
During this time of Roman rule, members of the household, especially women and slaves, were expected to follow the rules and the religion of the patriarch. In this letter, there is a hint of non-conformity. Those who are drawn to God though his son, Jesus Christ, are to live according to their conscience and not according to the patriarch. Faith in Christ may cause suffering, not from some outside forces, but from intimidation or from those who do not understand.
We ‘suffer’ by feeling we have not been as neighborly as we should. Perhaps we can turn this around. How have we demonstrated our Christian life to our neighbor and those around us in our daily walk? If, indeed, we let the light of Christ’s grace flicker in our neighborly conversations, a bit here, a smidgeon there, wouldn’t that neighbor know that we dedicate our Sunday mornings to the Lord?
If we live each day according to the precepts in 1 Peter, and become that glowing light of Christ to others in our daily deeds, we should, in time, develop such conviction for living according to God’s will that Joy pours out of us even when our soul suffers. Our neighbor will see this and, because of our grace toward our non-believing neighbor, God will work through us to show our neighbor “The Way, the Truth, and the Life” in Christ.
Our “suffering” should come from grief in our soul over those who do not yet know Christ. That’s why ‘suffering’ through our daily prayer for those we love is the best kind suffering. We may suffer for their souls but they see our JOY.
11-30 Last day of November and Celebration of Andrew the Apostle
Deuteronomy 30:11-14; Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 10:8b-18; Matthew 4:18-22
Deuteronomy 30:14 The Word is very near to you. It is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.
Psalm 19:2 Day to day pours forth speech and night to night declares knowledge.
Matthew 4:18-22 Calling of the disciples by the Sea of Galilee were brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew. Other fishermen were James and John, sons of Zebedee. “I will make you fishers of men.”
Once again, all the scriptures tie into one another. We do not realize that much of the New Covenant scripture ‘quotes’ words from the Old Covenant.
The old becomes new when Jesus begins drawing His crew together.
Andrew was one of the first picks to be Jesus’ disciple. He ran home to tell Peter and that’s how Peter became not only one of the ‘pack’ but became an Apostle of apostles, the leader of the pack. If it were not for Andrew’s role to simply say, “yes” to Jesus and eagerly “evangelize” his brother, His-story would be very different.
Deuteronomy says it all. God, the Word, is very near from the very beginning of creation. God’s people had difficulty understanding the presence of the Word, in God, without the human story that Jesus gives us. Thus, in Romans, this phrase, “The Word is very near you,” is repeated again. Indeed, the WORD MADE FLESH is in
our hearts because of Jesus’ advocate, the Holy Spirit.
The Word drew Andrew into Jesus' presence and did the same for Peter when Andrew fetched his brother and led him to Jesus and into a whole new life.
The Word drew Andrew into Jesus' presence and did the same for Peter when Andrew fetched his brother and led him to Jesus and into a whole new life.
Matthew tells the story. Because of the holy boldness of Andrew telling his brother about Jesus, these fishermen will also become ‘fishers of men.’ We hear the story every year after we celebrate Easter. 'He is risen, now Go Fishing!’
Think about it. My favorite verse I memorized is Romans 10:9. If I not only speak of Jesus to all the world but also believe in the miraculous resurrection of our Lord, I will be saved from eternal damnation. By memorizing verse 9 and 10, we have something to share with another person in five seconds or less.
Evangelization cannot get any easier than this. When the Word becomes flesh and dwells in us and when we speak the Word to others, God does the rest.
Just one person, by instinctively sharing his excitement with his brother, began what we now call “evangelization.” One person. A few words. Go Fish!
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