From the Heart

 

From the Heart

1 Timothy 4: The Spirit says clearly that some people will abandon the faith in later times; they will obey lying spirits and follow the teachings of demons. ² Such teachings are spread by deceitful liars, whose consciences are dead, as if burnt with a hot iron. ³ Such people teach that it is wrong to marry and to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten, after a prayer of thanks, by those who are believers and have come to know the truth. ⁴ Everything that God has created is good; nothing is to be rejected, but everything is to be received with a prayer of thanks, ⁵ because the word of God and the prayer make it acceptable to God.

 

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Sitting at the dinner table, we all said “grace” before we ate. This was an effort to instill in us to say thank you for the food. But when the food came out, I was all but thankful. As the conversation went on, I sat, not eating. Then when everyone got up, I took the food off my plate and hid it under a seat cushion. “I’ll throw that away later” I said to myself. I forgot, and someone sat on it.

 

• I was not thankful.
• I wanted something else, but got what I needed.
• I went hungry instead of being filled.

 

Paul addressed a concern regarding false teaching. Some people had abandoned the faith and were susceptible to listening to lying demons. Marriage and eating certain types of food was being attacked and taught as a way of life. He explained that food was created by GOD and can be received with a heart of thanks, bot just words.

 

My Observations

• My thankfulness can be felt by GOD.
• Even the tiniest bit of thankfulness is pleasing and acceptable to GOD.
• Receiving things should prompt me to have a spirit of thankfulness.

 

Sometimes it’s heard to be thankful. I mean, when I want that thing over there, but get this thing right here, I may be disappointed. BUT GOD wants me to have a different perspective. HE wants my heart to be ful of thankfulness for HIS creation, namely the people who give to me, versus the gift itself.

 

HE wants me also to see food as acceptable because HE made it.. My heart has to be able to give GOD thanks and HE will be pleased. I thank GOD for all HE provides.

 

Challenge

• What do you think the writer means by “people will abandon the faith in later times?”
• Have you ever been worried about certain foods or marriage?
• Will you be thankful for what GOD has given you and see the many gifts HE has poured out on you throughout your life, so you can praise HIM today?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, please forgive us for not seeing the many gifts YOU have given us. Thank YOU for all foods YOU provide. YOU make us whole so we can serve you with our whole heart. Thank YOU for blessing this reader. Make him or her whole. amen

Thanks for the Chance

 

Thanks for the Chance

Philippians 4: ¹⁴ Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. ¹⁵ Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. ¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

 

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With no job, no connections and no money, I interviewed with one company. I did not know how to interview and I wore a suit from my high school graduation, even though I was now leaving college. Against all odds, the recruiter took a chance on me.

 

• I was thankful!
• I was excited!
• I was grateful and humbled that someone took a chance on me.

 

Paul looked back on the long hard road he took. In the beginning of his ministry, Paul gave up his material wealth to go from place to place preaching the Gospel. No one wanted to help him being an ex-Pharisee. But one group of people took a chance and supported him with more than money.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants HIS SON to be known to humans.
• Opposition to spreading the Gospel should be expected.
• GOD provides support from people who share in HIS desire to spread the Gospel.

 

Having a burden for those in need is nice, BUT GOD wants more. I mean, HE wants salvation for all humans. Doing all that it takes to ensure GOD’s message is heard can bring on a great deal of prayer. Opposition to GOD’s very existence, coupled with greedy, power hungry humans, makes it seem impossible for anyone to believe the Good News about JESUS. But it happens.

 

JESUS decided to take a chance on humanity by becoming a human, living a sinless life, allowing HIS creation to murder HIM and being raised from the dead. HIS resurrection gave me a second chance because my sin doomed me to die for all eternity. I am grateful JESUS did all that for me and I am also grateful for those who supported me spreading the Gospel.

 

Challenge

• Can you feel the writer’s gratitude?
• Has GOD called you to start out on a ministry and you don’t have any means to do so?
• Will you start out with thankfulness and pursue being led by the HOLY SPIRIT in spreading the Gospel anyway today?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, please provide for those who seek spreading the Great News about JESUS. Help the reader know his or her purpose in YOU today. amen

Thankful For You

Thankful For You

Philippians 1: ³ I thank my God for you every time I think of you; ⁴ and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy ⁵ because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now. 

 

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On special days like Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, I thought of the many adopted parents and my parents who blessed me in ways I cannot imagine. I also am thankful for family and friends who remained and still remain very prayerful for every situation.

 

• I have been truly blessed.
• I have been supported by many who bow down to GOD.
• I have been able to spread the gospel because of many prayerful Spirit-filled people.

 

Paul expresses gratitude for the many people who supported his difficult journey. He is filled with elation every time he thought of those who helped him tell people about JESUS. His thankfulness was especially for those who hung in there from the very beginning of his transformed ministry.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to be thankful for those who have prayed for me.
• GOD wants me to praise people in front of HIM so many can be honored in HIS presence.
• GOD wants me to look back and remember those who serve HIM loyally.

 

There are some people who come to mind when I think of impactful belief in GOD, who have influenced me. I mean, ordinary people who stand firm for CHRIST at all costs. I see his or her fervor, never missing a beat when life gets difficult. In fact, these people turn up the encouragement when the struggles are happening.

 

How is this possible? I ask myself. The only thing that comes to mind is their relationship with CHRIST. I thank GOD for the many who continue to serve GOD in spite of the many obstacles placed in front of them.

 

Challenge

• Can you feel the sincerity of the writer regarding thankfulness?
• Doesn’t it sound like the writer has been through a lot and he was fully supported along the way?
• Who comes to mind that you are thankful for as he or she has stood firm in CHRIST and has fully supported you with prayer consistently?
• Will you fill your heart to overflowing with thankfulness to GOD today?

Hour of Thanks

Hour of Thanks

2 Corinthians 6: In our work together with God, then, we beg you who have received God's grace not to let it be wasted. ² Hear what God says:

 

“When the time came for me to show you favor,
    I heard you;
when the day arrived for me to save you,
    I helped you.”

 

Listen! This is the hour to receive God's favor; today is the day to be saved!

 

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“Say thank you” were the words I did not want to hear. The server did not know I had dropped my drink, causing me embarrassment. The food was free and it was a celebration but I was distracted because I drew attention to my mistake.

 

• When I am worried or sad I forget about thankfulness.
• When I am angry or frustrated I do not feel thankful.
• When I am misguided, misinformed, embarrassed or sinning, being thankful seems to be the furthest thing from my mind.

 

Paul quotes what GOD told Isaiah to write. He mentions that GOD, in HS time, answered HIS promise and brought salvation. This very hour is the time to be thankful and accept HIS wonderful gift.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to recognize what HE has done for me.
• GOD wants me to look beyond current circumstances to see just how much HE loves me.
• GOD wants me to be thankful this moment, instead of waiting for the perfect time.

 

“If then” statements can cause problems with my relationship with GOD. I mean, when I doubt that GOD loves me I may use “If then” statements like “If GOD loves people so much then why do people suffer/” My blindness does not recognize that the enemy is not GOD, rather Satan, who wants to blind me of GOD’s grace.

 

GOD’s grace is not to be wasted. No matter what is going on in my life, HE is always showing incredible grace. The HOLY SPIRIT opens my eyes to HIS grace in the middle of the storm. I am glad I can find peace that surpasses understanding by saying “Thank YOU LORD!”

 

Challenge

• What does the writer mean by not letting GOD’s grace be wasted?
• When calamity is striking, will you remember thankfulness as a weapon to fight it?
• Have you received the very valuable gift of GOD’s salvation through JESUS and thanked HIM for HIS favor and help?

Assured Thanks

 

Assured Thanks

Acts 27: ³³ Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. ³⁴ Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” ³⁵ After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. ³⁶ They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. ³⁷ Altogether there were 276 of us on board. ³⁸ When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.

 

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Everyone around me said encouraging words. “You will get the position” they all said. Some of them were people who knew the decision makers. I was excited and full of praise and thanks. But there was one person who said “You may or you may not get the position.” Why did the person say “May not?” Now my praise and thanks turned to a slight bit of doubt.

 

• There were times when I had more doubt than confidence.
• There were times when my prayers were full of fear.
• There were times when I really wanted to believe something that was a promise, but was uncertain.

 

Paul urged the crew to eat. Many had probably given up hope. Paul, knowing what GOD told him, encouraged everyone that they would be safe. He was so sure, he gave thanks to GOD and ate in front of everyone. They joined in because they were encouraged.

 

• GOD wants me to be sure of HIS promises.
• GOD wants me to be thankful for what HE has already done.
• GOD wants me to be encouraged by HIS plan for me.

 

Human’s define success through sinful eyes. I mean, everyone has to be healthy, wealthy and all lusts fulfilled to meet the standards of success set by humans. BUT GOD has a different measure of success. “If you give even a cup of water to MY littles ones, you are MY disciple and will not lose your reward.”

 

Being thankful means I have already received the reward and I am thankful for it. I may not see it yet, but I have faith that GOD will do just as HE says. I can be assured, so I give thanks to GOD.

 

• Do you know GOD’s promises yet you doubt HIS love for you?
• Do you have fear for the upcoming situation?
• Will you give GOD assured thanks, knowing HE has a plan that looks different than you think, but is great for you and those around you today?

Thankful

Thankful

John 17: ⁶ “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. ⁷ Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. ⁸ For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

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Remembering the bonuses of the past, I was excited to open the check. It was much lower than it had ever been. My excitement immediately went away. I had worked pretty hard that year and could see no reason for the deficit. I was not happy.

• I wanted to trade in my thankfulness for a complaint.
• I expected more when I should have expected nothing.
• I based my happiness on what I could see, rather than knowing what was really happening.

JESUS speaks to the FATHER about HIS disciples. But the words really point out just how far JESUS went to help them.

• GOD wants me to know that JESUS made HIS name known to me.
• GOD wants me to know that JESUS gave me the words that came from the FATHER.
• GOD wants me to know that JESUS came from the FATHER who sent HIM to save me.

Getting back to the bonus. I asked about the lower amount the next day. “The company did not do as well this year, however, you got the highest  in the department” the person said. I was angry when I should have been thankful. Sometimes I treat GOD the same way.

JESUS went out of HIS way to make sure humans would return back to HIM. I must receive JESUS’ words and believe HE came from the FATHER, just as HE said. This belief gives me a thankful heart. I drop my complaints and praise GOD for what HE does. I am thankful.

• Are you thankful?
• Will you be able to look at what GOD has done for you today?
• Will you allow GOD to open your eyes to HIS blessings and thank HIM today?