Do Not Depart

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Scripture-Centered Traditions

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From Christmas trees to candy canes, stockings to Santa Claus, Christmas is a holiday fraught with tradition.   While there are countless articles and blogs that explain the history of each tradition for this season, at Scripture Dig we want to share with you a few traditions and ideas that focus on the Word of God while sharing the beauty of the Word-become-Flesh.

Our desire here is to encourage you to dig into Scripture and use that as the foundation for every aspect of your life.  And during this time of year, we want to continue to point you back to the Bible as you celebrate this most precious holiday … the birth of our Lord.

The Advent Wreath

The Advent wreath is one of my favorite Christmas traditions.  I remember the weekly lighting of the candles at my church growing up.  There is something so beautiful about setting aside time to anticipate the Coming of the Christ.  While the particular details of the Advent wreath vary in different church backgrounds, the foundation is the same.  Beginning with the First Sunday of Advent, the lighting of a candle can be accompanied by a Bible reading and prayers. An additional candle is lit during each subsequent week until, by the last Sunday before Christmas, all four candles are lit. Some Advent wreaths include a fifth, “Christ” candle which can be lit at Christmas.

The Scriptures read with each candle are as follows:

  1. The Candle of Hope: Representing the hope and promise of the coming Lord, this candle reminds us of the hope we have in Christ and the promise of eternity with Him.  Scripture associated with this candle includes Isaiah 11:1-10 and/or Isaiah 7:10-14, 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1-5 and/or Jeremiah 33:14-16.
  2. The Candle of Preparation: Representing His light and our preparation, this candle affirms our own need to prepare for His coming.  Scripture associated with this candle includes Psalm 25:1-10 and/or Psalm 27:1-7, 18-19 and/or Micah 5:2 and/or Matthew 2:1-12.
  3. The Candle of Joy: This candle reminds us of the joyful news the angel brought for all man.  Scripture associated with this candle includes 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 and/or Romans 15:4-13 and/or Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38
  4. The Candle of Love: Representing the love of the Father, this candle reminds us of the great gift of God the Father and His love for us in sending His Son.   Scripture associated with this candle includes Matthew 3:1-12 and/or Luke 21:25-36 and/or Luke 2:8-20.

Many traditions also include a fifth, center candle which is the Christ Candle.  Representing the incarnation – the very meaning of this season – this candle reminds us of the Christ, the Spotless Lamb of God sent to pay for our own sin.  Verses read with this candle include Luke 2:1-20; Psalm 100; Revelation 3:20-21.

The Jesse Tree

The Jesse Tree is a depiction of the lineage of Christ through Jesse, the father of King David.  This beautiful tradition walks us through the genealogy of Christ and helps us gain an understanding of how all of Scripture breathes His name … from Genesis through Revelation, it is Him – Logos, the Word-become-Flesh – who is the promise and the fulfillment of the promise all in one.

The beautiful, full-of-grace Ann Voskamp has created an incredible {and FREE!} devotion book and set of ornaments to be used for a Jesse Tree and I highly recommend that you read the devotions even if you choose not to create an actual Jesse Tree.  Walking through Scripture in this manner is a powerful way to prepare your own heart for the wonder and beauty of THE Gift of Christmas.

The Gospel of Luke

Last year, my husband mentioned he was reading the Gospel of  Luke throughout December.   There are 24 chapters of this book and so he would finish on Christmas Eve.  I joined him in that endeavor last year and have continued that practice again this year.   Reading through the life of Christ as we move closer to the celebration of His birth has been a transforming experience for me.   I cannot begin to explain the depth of meaning I found last year as I took Communion during our church’s Christmas Eve service having just read of Christ’s resurrection earlier that day.

I encourage you to make Scripture an integral part of your Christmas preparation and tradition … and would love to hear from you of other ways you have incorporated the Word into your celebration.

{Image from msormann via flickr}

Why Jesus Came

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As soon as I finished storing the leftover Thanksgiving turkey in Tupperware, I began putting up the tree and cluttering every surface of our house with nativity scenes, reindeer, poinsettias, and twinkly lights. Every year our family – like many of you – goes to great lengths to celebrate the birth of Jesus. But do we ever slow down to seriously contemplate why He came?

A couple of years ago, God drew my attention to several statements Jesus made that included the phrase “I came” or “I have come.” Of course, I had read them many times before, but had never considered them in the context of Christmas. As I searched the Gospels I found more than a dozen of these “I came…” statements. As I studied them, Christmas took on a deeper and richer meaning for me. This year, I would like to share them with you. I pray God would use His Words to enrich your Christmas celebration and foster worship of Him!

Jesus’ “I came” statements fall into three general categories, so we will look at them in those groups. I did not include all the passages themselves due to space. I encourage you to read these verses during your quiet time between now and Christmas. Use them to reflect on our gift of a Savior!

Group One: Jesus came to be the Father’s representative

Jesus made it very clear that He came to reveal the Father to the people. He never did or said or initiated anything on His own. He came in complete submission and obedience to the Father. He sought to please the Father and bring Him glory.

1. John 6:38 – Jesus did not operate from a personal agenda. He came only to do the Father’s will.

2. John 12:27 – He came to obey whatever the Father directed, even if it meant suffering.

3. Matthew 5:17 – Jesus came to complete what the Father initiated, including the Law and prophecy, not to change or abolish it.

Group Two: Jesus came to carry out the Father’s mission of salvation

Jesus came as the Father’s representative to fulfill the Father’s will. And the Father’s will was to provide redemption for all mankind. Jesus was His agent of redemption.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him (John 3:16-17).”

4. Mark 2:17 – Jesus came to call sinners and heal the spiritually sick.

5. Luke 19:10 – Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.

6. John 10:10 – Jesus came to provide abundant life.

7. John 9:39 – Jesus came to give “sight” to those who had been blind to spiritual things. He opened their understanding so they could receive Him.

8. John 12:46-47 – Jesus came as a light to save. The Light of the world draws people out of spiritual darkness.

Group Three: Jesus came to further the Kingdom of God

Jesus came as the Father’s representative, to carry out the Father’s mission of redemption, in order to establish a Kingdom. Have you ever noticed how much Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God? He saved us so we could be a part of His Kingdom. Jesus came to reveal the truth of God’s Kingdom to the world.

9. Luke 4:43 – Jesus came to preach about the Kingdom of God. From town to town He declared the rule and reign of God.

10. John 18:37 – Jesus came to be a King and to bring truth. Jesus victoriously rules and reigns today!

11. Matthew 20:28 – Jesus came “to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” He set the example for the citizens of God’s Kingdom.

12. Luke 12:51 – Jesus came to “bring division.” His offer of salvation requires a decision. Those who receive Him enter His Kingdom. Those that reject Him do not. (Find out now how to have a relationship with Jesus.)

If you are like me, when I celebrate Christmas I tend to limit my view of Jesus to a baby in a feed trough filled with hay. Yes, that’s how He arrived, but that is not why He came. As you celebrate Christmas this year, don’t leave Jesus in the manger. Remember, He came as the Father’s representative to provide a way for your salvation and establish God’s Kingdom on earth. Rejoice with exceeding great joy!

Merry Christmas!

Kathy

 

 

Worshipping Jesus – It’s Your Turn

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I absolutely LOVE studying Scripture! There’s nothing like opening the Bible and getting to know the Living God more – getting together with God’s girls and exploring the wonder of the Word!

Sweet sisters, I hope you’ve been as excited as we have this past week! It’s been chock-full off foundational truths and fundamental Christian beliefs. Kristi Stephens explained why the manager was essential to mankind’s salvations. Kathy Howard examined the incarnation and helped us understand the significance of the truth that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. And yesterday, Sandra Peoples explored the magnitude of the virgin birth.

During this season of twinkling lights, gingerbread houses and glittery gifts, Jesus emerges as the center of it all – the undeniable King of the universe. There is nothing that can compare to the majesty of who He is!

May this be a season of worship for you as you join the Scripture Dig team in our quest to know Him more and make Him the passionate pursuit of our lives – the unparalleled longing of our hearts.

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17

IT’S YOUR TURN NOW, SWEET FRIEND!

Let your adoration for the Living God overflow into words of encouragement for others to read. Share your praise for the Savior of the world – born of a virgin – the God/man – the One who graced planet earth with His presence and secured salvation by giving Himself for us all. Share what Christ means to you and how He is working in your midst.

I can’t wait to read what God is doing in your life!


The Virgin Birth

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The virgin birth. It’s not really a hotly debated topic in Christian circles. We learn it, we accept it, we almost forget about it. But each Christmas, we’re reminded that Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, not by the seed of a man.

Even though Christians accept this as truth, the world does not. It’s often debated this time of year. Magazines Newsweek and Time have run articles in the last decade claiming the virgin birth is a myth, and even quoted “Christians” who say it’s a myth, or that it’s not necessary to believe in the virgin birth to be a Christian.

So why is it important to believe that Jesus was born of a virgin? What is the implication for us today?

Before our conception we did not exist. But Jesus existed before Mary was with child. Galatians 4:4 says, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son…” God didn’t create His Son, He sent Him forth. The virgin birth was prophesied in Isaiah 7:14, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”  This prophecy was fulfilled when the angel told Mary she would give birth to Jesus and she answered, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” (Luke 1:34).

Romans 5:12 says that through one man sin entered the world and through him, sin spread to all men, because all sinned. But Jesus was born without sin. He lived a sinless life. Paul goes on to write in Romans, “…through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life (5:18).

The world doesn’t want to believe in the miraculous conception of Jesus because then they want to deny every miraculous detail of His life. Pastor John MacArthur writes,  “[A}ny rejection of Christ’s supernatural origin leaves His supernatural life and His supernatural death and His supernatural resurrection inexplicable. You gotta have it all, or any of it to make sense. And if Jesus wasn’t virgin born, then the claim that He can save is highly questionable.”

Remember this Christmas not to just read over the fact that Mary was a virgin when she conceived Jesus. She gives all praise to God for the gift of Christ, and we can as well when we pray with Mary, “For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name” (Luke 1:49). His name is holy because Christ is without sin–at birth, in life, and when He conquered death!

image source: ArtBible

God or man? Yes!

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The first couple of chapters of Luke and Matthew get worn out this time of year. That’s where we normally go to read about the birth of Jesus. However, the Christmas story found in the first chapter of John richly presents another aspect of our Savior’s earthly arrival.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:1-4, 10, 12, 14 NIV

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” Ah, so much truth, so much hope, found in one statement. Jesus, who John meaningful calls the “Word,” left the glory of heaven and became human in order to walk the earth with mankind. To “tabernacle” or dwell with us. The Word – who was Himself God – became man. John 1:14 poetically describes what we refer to as the “Incarnation.”

The term “Incarnation” refers to the foundational Christian belief that God became man in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Passage after passage in the Bible clearly presents Jesus as both fully divine and fully human. Two natures united together in one person.

Although hard to grasp, this concept is absolutely vital to our faith. That is why the early church worked so hard to battle against heretics and false teachers who wanted to twist the correct understanding of the Incarnation. After centuries of fighting those who would introduce incorrect doctrine, the church settled the matter once and for all at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD. The following is an excerpt from their lengthy treatise on the nature of Christ.

At once complete in Godhead and complete in manhood, truly God and truly man… recognized in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation; the distinction of natures being in no way annulled by the union, but rather the characteristics of each nature being preserved and coming together to form one person and subsistence, not as parted or separated into two persons, but one and the same Son and Only-begotten God the Word, Lord Jesus Christ;

Why is the Incarnation – the truth that Jesus was both God and man – so vital to our faith? Here are a few things to consider:

  • Without it we would still be lost, spiritually dead. Only God Himself can forgive our sins. Only the sinless God-man could offer His life as the once-for-all perfect sacrifice needed to make atonement for our sins. No incarnation, no salvation. (John 1:12, Heb 9:11-28)
  • We have a High Priest who understands both our temptations and our sufferings. Because Jesus experienced both He knows exactly what we are going through and how to help us (Hebrews 5:14-15).
  • Our earthly Savior is both God and King! Jesus is the eternal God, the Creator of all there is (John 1:1-3). He is worthy of our praise and worship.
  • Jesus Christ is the true revelation of the Father to us. If we know Jesus, then we know the Father (John 14:9).

This Christmas don’t simply celebrate the birth of a wee babe in the manger. Celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ. God became flesh and dwelled among men so He could bring salvation to all who would receive Him! Hallelujah and amen!

How does the truth that Jesus is both fully human and fully God impact you and your faith? Share your thoughts with us.

If you have never received Jesus as your Savior, don’t let another Christmas go by without making that eternally important decision. Find out now how you can become a Christian. If you want to learn more about your need for a Savior check out Kathy’s book “God’s Truth Revealed.”

God’s unchanging plans… and unexpected ways (cont.)

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Yesterday we began to explore the question of why the manger? We began back in Genesis 3, so take a quick look at that post if you missed it!

The Passover was just the beginning of the lessons God had in store for the descendants of Abraham. As God brought them out of Egypt, He formed them into a nation with a “constitution” unique to them – laws and regulations for how to live as a unique theocracy where their holy God was their King and actually lived among them. The law constantly pointed out to the people that they were in the presence of a holy God – and they were inherently unclean because of sin and the broken state of this world.

They could not approach their holy God; even though He lived among them in a carefully planned Tabernacle, no one could approach Him, no one could pull back the rich tapestries of curtains and march into His awesome presence without it costing their very lives. No matter how hard they tried, they could not make themselves holy enough to regain the communion that was lost back in the Garden. They could not keep themselves clean. They could not sacrifice away their sin and the evil that lurked in their hearts.

As Israel became established in the land God had promised them and eventually demanded to have a human king to rule over them, it quickly became clear that no mere human king could save them. Every human leader failed, in small ways and often very dramatic ways – every human leader was flawed and sinful. No king could lead them to victory over their own sin; no king could provide them freedom from oppression and the brokenness of the human condition, let alone crush the serpent and reclaim what had been lost in the Garden.

They needed a better sacrifice – a Sacrifice much greater, much more costly, than any animal from their flock. They needed a better Priest who did not have to atone for his own sins before offering atonement for theirs. They needed a better King who could reign righteously without end and conquer the invisible enemies as well as the visible.

There was only one solution: God the Son Himself would come. He would dwell among us, not removed and separated from us, but as one of us. He would humble Himself, wrap Himself in flesh, walk with us, suffer among us, touch us, heal us, and ultimately die in our place as the one perfect Passover Lamb. Starting with the manger, God would fulfill centuries of promises – promises to Adam, Abraham, David; promises given through prophets, events hinted at throughout Israel’s history.

By becoming small, He would reclaim everything that was lost. By coming quietly to the outcasts He would change the course of history. He would come first as a suffering servant, and someday He would return as the conquering King of kings.

God’s great plan began to unfold in Bethlehem that night in the unlikeliest of ways, the most unexpected of places… and all heaven rejoiced at the sight of it.

Related reading:

God’s Big Story – a summary of God’s plan from Genesis to Revelation

The Word Became Flesh

Yahweh Has Come to Dwell Among Us (parts one, two, and three)

We hope you will continue to join us as we prepare our hearts and reflect on this Christmas season! If you haven’t done so before, please consider becoming a subscriber so you don’t miss any future posts!

God’s unchanging plans… and unexpected ways

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Christmas always hits me a little differently when I am pregnant. As I write this post I myself am nine months pregnant, feeling mysterious kicks and turns, anxious for my sweet baby’s arrival, dealing with the nagging anxiety that every expectant mother faces about what lies ahead. I frequently find myself wondering what that first Christmas was like for Mary – a young virgin in her teens, carrying the promised Redeemer, the Word in flesh, the God-man. What did she reflect on as she journeyed uncomfortably for days on the back of a donkey, heavy with the weight of the child in her womb, heavy with the weight of the responsibility entrusted to her? Did she share her ponderings with Joseph? Did she even know him that well? Was she afraid as she began to feel those first twinges of birth pangs? Did she weep in an unfamiliar town, on the floor of a dirty stable, without her mother or a female friend to comfort and counsel her through the overwhelming process of giving birth to her firstborn – the Son of God?

God’s plan to redeem the world from sin and death did not unfold as anyone might have expected. So today we ask along with Mary, “why?” Why the manger?

Throughout the Old Testament, God gives us glimpses of His unfolding plan. Back in the Garden of Eden, as the first man and his wife stood shameful and naked in their sin and receiving the worst news mankind would ever hear, God did not leave them hopeless – He promised a Redeemer: a seed of the woman who would crush the serpent and make everything right once again (Genesis 3:15). Adam and Eve just could not have understood the amazing intricacy of God’s plan and the depth of His love – God rarely does anything in the ways we expect.

Years later, one man named Abraham received an impossible three-fold promise from this Creator-God: Abraham, an elderly man without children to carry his name, would have unimaginable numbers of descendants who would form a great nation, God would give them a land to call their own, and through this people, all the nations of the world would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3). Through this man and his family, God would bring the promised Redeemer, the Seed of Eve that had been promised many years before. God rarely does anything in the ways we expect.

God did give Abraham the child he had longed for. Isaac, named after the joy and disbelief-filled laughter of his parents, and those after him indeed became numerous. And once again, God did not form this great nation of promise in an expected way. He allowed them to be enslaved in a foreign country, despised and segregated from the surrounding culture, insulated to a great extent from outside influences as the generations flourished and became great in number. And in a way that only God could plan, He purchased them out of captivity and taught them vividly through the night of Passover that the only way of safety was to be marked with blood of a spotless lamb, to be set apart to Him alone.

To be continued…

Keeping Christ in Your Christmas – Your Turn

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There’s something undeniably exuberant about the Christmas season. It’s a time when the attention of the world is on the Savior of the world.

Lights remind us that Jesus is the Light of the world; manger scenes adorn lawns throughout the land and families gather together to listen to Luke’s account of the Savior’s birth.

But with the flurry of activities that often accompany the snow during this most wonderful time of the year, it’s sometimes hard to keep Jesus the focus of the season.

There are lists, long lines and just the right gifts to buy. There are parties to attend, special times with old friends. There are decorations galore and lights and much more. There are cards to write and traffic to fight – but when it’s all said and done, Christmas is about Christ.

There are little things you can do to help keep Jesus the focus of your busy Holiday season. At our house, we love to decorate with “Jesus” stuff as sweet reminders that He took the role of a babe to become the ultimate Sacrifice.

So how do you keep Christ in your Christmas? It’s your turn to share with us some of the ways you keep Christ in your Christmas. Can’t wait to hear your ideas!



Why December 25th?

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When you think of the Christmas season, what images fill your mind? Probably snow, hot chocolate, stockings hung by the fire place, the smell of a pine tree. But Christmas hasn’t always been celebrated in December.

For the first three hundred years of Christianity, there was debate over whether the birth of Jesus should be celebrated at all. Those who were in favor of honoring Christ’s birth couldn’t agree on when to celebrate.

The date of December 25th was chosen possibly as early as 273. On December 25 of 336, Western Christians officially celebrated Christmas after Emperor Constantine declared Christianity Rome’s favored religion.

The date of Christmas may have been chosen to replace pagan holidays, but as St. Augustine said in 320, “We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because of the birth of the sun, but because of him who made it.”

When we celebrate Christmas isn’t as important as the thankfulness of our hearts when we remember that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). And that’s worth celebrating every day of the year!

JESUS is the Reason

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Christmas. It really is the most wonderful time of the year. The sites, the sounds, the lights, the music, the festivities – everything gives way to the joyous holiday we call Christmas.

But what is it really all about? Why do we celebrate this December 25th event? Is it all about the jolly man in the red suit with the long white beard? Or is it about so much more than sleigh bells, mistletoe and Santa Claus?

During this Christmas season, we are going to spend the month of December examining what Christmas is all about. I hope you will join us as we focus on the reason for the season.

In short, Christmas is all about Jesus! It’s a day we set aside to celebrate the virgin birth of the Savior of the world.

Unfortunately, many people don’t even know why it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Today, many store employees are prohibited from using the word, “Christmas.” Many businesses have taken down their “Merry Christmas” signs in lieu of “Happy Holidays.” Schools have changed their verbiage to “Happy Winter Solstice.”

Christ-mas is about Christ. He is the reason for the season. The very term defines its purpose.

Jesus. The Son of God, the Son of Man. The Savior of the world. The King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Messiah, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Emmanuel – God with us.

“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12 (NLT)

The silence of God’s written Word was broken when the Living Word took center stage as a babe in a manger. The curtain had finally been pulled back on what had been shrouded in mystery for oh-so long. The long awaited promise had been fulfilled. The Messiah was born and He would save His people from their sins.

As Christmas fast approaches, we have the privilege of celebrating all He is. The One who spoke this world into being humbled Himself and became a servant. It didn’t begin in a manger – it started before the foundation of the world.

“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began“ 2 Timothy 1:9

“…in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time” 1 Timothy 1:2

Our salvation was God’s plan long before He breathed life into Adam. But it’s important to know that our salvation meant there had to be a cross; and if there was a cross there would first have to be a manger.

That’s why we celebrate. Because God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) And because of that life-changing, eternity-altering truth, Jesus is the reason for the season.

I hope you will join us every step of our Christmas journey. It’s going to be exciting!


A Grateful Glance Back = Recap

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When the six of us sat around on couches months ago, praying over and planning the coming Scripture Dig themes, we did not know what would transpire in this month of November.  Long before we knew our own hearts and homes would be visited with heaviness, the Lord steered us to a focus on thanks. We really do hope it has blessed and encouraged you, but we know it has blessed and encouraged US!

Before we hurry on to December, let’s take a grateful glance back at where we have been in our digging into the topic of Biblical gratitude. We began by considering a study of what the word “thanks” really means.  Entering into November from our focus on the Church, we took time to reflect on why we, as members of the Body of believers, have so much to be thankful for historically.

Sprinkled throughout this month of thanks have been examples from the pages of scripture showing us the beauty and the beast of gratitude and ingratitude. The one grateful Samaritan leper who was healed stands in stark contrast to the nine who failed to stop and demonstrate Gratitude from the Dust. We looked at expressions of thanks from Job, Hannah, Noah, Mary, and Jesus Himself.  We were cautioned not to lose the joy of our grateful hearts as we saw Sarah fall into the trap of idolizing perfection. It was a timely reminder on “Black Friday” following celebrations of Thanksgiving.

As we shared stories of men and women who tutored us in thanks, we took time to share about how God has used events to work out this quality in our hearts and lives. While our own team members were living out “Even when life is not, He is good,” Kristi shared her words from 2008 as her mother-in-law began a battle with cancer. The message was perfectly timed in the life of our team. Teri Lynne shared a very personal testimony of how God etched the lessons of the Difficult Thanks on her own heart.  Kathy gave us a glimpse into a humbling opportunity to be overwhelmingly “Thankful to be used.”

This month we took a look at practical ways to apply Biblical thanks & make it more a part of our home life:

God knew that in this month of November, the lives of our team would be full, so He filled us with His truth and comfort. He knew it was the perfect time for a fresh overflow of Thanksgiving from our hearts. We pray that in the sharing, your hearts have been encouraged along the way.  We are thankful for God’s Word to give us comfort and direction, and we are so thankful you’ve come on the journey with us.

 

Song of a Grateful Heart

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Praise is the song of a grateful heart. As we step from a weekend of Thanksgiving into the season of remembering Christ’s birth, let’s listen to a song of grateful praise from a woman’s heart.

When she’s introduced we know that she’s living in the excitement of her engagement, anticipating her wedding. We find out she is “highly favored” and the Lord is with her. The next adjective is where I really start to relate:  she was “greatly troubled,” from the same root word that gives us “perturbed.” After all, AN ANGEL WAS TALKING TO HER!!! Truly divine.

Following the girl’s confusion came a question (v.34) and then action (vv. 39-40). She wanted to know, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” After her question she acted on her belief and trust.

Through the angel, God first made a declaration (vv.30-33) of what He planned to do and how Mary was involved. When she asked for understanding, He provided an explanation (vv.35-37) of how the miracle would happen. Then He gave confirmation (vv.41-45) of her blessing and conception, when her relative Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and her own baby jumped with joy in her womb.

It was after she poured out her confusion and her question and followed with obedient action that her song pours out of her mouth. She had just been answered with God’s declaration of His plan for her, His explanation of the miracle, and His confirmation of what would’ve scared the socks off of any young unwed, engaged, pregnant virgin teenager.  But Mary was clearly already a lover of God, and her heart overflowed with thanksgiving.  Because she KNEW Him, she TRUSTED Him, and she could respond to the extraordinary turn of events with confident gratitude. After all, the angel assured her that “no word from God will ever fail,” (v. 37) and she believed it!

Mary’s Song (Luke 1:46-55)

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful  of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.  He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.  He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.  He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.  He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

Mary gave thanks for Who God is, for what He has done, and even for what He called her to do. Her soul magnified Him, acknowledging Him as the source of blessing, worshiping Him, and affirming her reverence for Him. Her humility resounds, as she recognized her own need for a Savior and her service to the holy, mighty, strong, merciful God. While others may’ve been in the fetal position in the corner, we see a Mary whose heart is bursting with awe and joyful praise in a her song of gratitude. We may want to shout, “You go, girl!”  But Mary is shouting, “You go, God!”

Praise is the song of a grateful heart. Obedience is the action of a grateful heart. Read the whole story  from confusion to confirmation to grateful song here.  I would encourage you to open your own Bible to Luke 1:26-56, stand up, and read it aloud “Mary style.”  We can relate to the young woman of this chapter in many ways, starting with the song of her grateful heart. Does a song of praise fill your heart today?

What would you say about God in your own song of thanksgiving?

The Idol of Perfection

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Let’s be honest, yesterday when you looked around the table, was it exactly everything you hoped it would be? Was everyone getting along perfectly? Did you have everyone you love around the table? I think everyone of us would have to say no. Sarah in Genesis chapter 21 had many things to be thankful for. The blessing of her long-awaited son Issac, a loving and devoted husband, a promise from God that her family would out number the stars in the sky. But she also  may have looked around her table and thought, “My life would be perfect if…”

How did Sarah get to that point? Let’s quickly review her story. Sarah was first named Sarai which means “to contend.” Her husband Abram (later Abraham) was called of God to father a great nation. Sarai was also part of this plan. God told Abram, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; you shall be a blessing” (Gen. 12:2). Because God promised Abram he would father a great nation, Sarai knew she would bear children. But years and years went by without an heir. Abram asked God if one born in his household would become his heir and not one actually born to him (Gen. 15:2). But God again said Abram would personally father a child and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them… So shall your descendants be.” Because Sarai was still barren, she thought of a plan. If her handmaiden, Hagar, had a baby by Abram, the baby would also be Sarai’s. According to pastor and author John MacArthur, “Sarah apparently reasoned that since she owned Hagar, if Abraham fathered a child by Hagar, it would in effect be Sarah’s child.” But God designed marriage to be between one man and one woman. So this polygamy was sinful and would not have the outcome Sarai wanted. In fact, after Hagar conceived Ishmael, Sarai began to hate her (Gen. 16:4).

When we catch up to Sarah in chapter 21, God has blessed her with a son. Isaac, which means “he laughs,” was born to Sarah when Abraham was 100 years old. Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me” (Gen. 21:6). Elizabeth George writes, “This definitely was an occasion for joy. Isaac was Sarah’s reward. He was the child of her own body, the child of her old age, the child of God’s promise, the fruit of tested faith, the gift of God’s grace, and the heaven-appointed heir.” But even in her joy, Sarah was bitter because of Hagar and Ishmael. And her bitterness ruined her joy. She may have thought, “My life would be perfect if only Hagar and Ishmael would just disappear. Sure it was my idea to make them part of our family, but now that I have Issac, I change my mind.”

How do we avoid the bitterness Sarah experienced? Don’t let your plan for perfection become an idol in your life.

When you look back at pictures from your Thanksgiving celebration, don’t dwell on what should have been or could have been. Focus on the blessings that were present. Don’t focus on the burned rolls; remember the joke your brother-in-law told that had everyone rolling. Don’t comment again to your husband that you can’t believe your sister would wear such an awful shirt; but be thankful your kids were able to hang out with their cousins (who they only see twice a year).

You must let go of your idea of perfection. Learn to appreciate, enjoy, love, and savor your reality. Remember, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Bestowing honor, recognizing worth

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My children are two and four years old, so we are in the stage of life where I am constantly reminding them to use “good words.” I am continually stopping them mid-sentence and prompting them to phrase their requests respectfully with an appropriately placed “please,” and it is an everyday occurrence for me to hold out what they asked for and not let it go until they remember to say “thank you.”

Human nature seems bent against gratitude and toward entitlement. It takes deliberate training to make “thank you” a habitual, yet sincere, response.

This isn’t just true of preschoolers or teenagers with attitude. Ingratitude and entitlement can sadly sneak into our own lives – today, let’s take a few minutes to search our hearts and ask God to point out what, and who, we have been taking for granted lately.

1 Corinthians 1:4 “I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.”

As we have discussed many times during this month of focus on thanks-giving, true gratitude is tied closely with humility. Thankless people are arrogant and self-centered people. People who either refuse to allow those around them to serve them, or who demand that they be served. People who live their lives with an attitude of self-sufficiency or superiority will not humble themselves to recognize or thank those around them.

Ephesians 1:16 “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”

In order to genuinely thank those who have impacted my life, I must first recognize that I am not the center of the universe. I must, with humility, see the value of those around me and how God has gifted and worked through their lives uniquely. I must recognize my own need, my own inadequacies, my own shortcomings – I must allow myself to depend on others, and receive what they offer, knowing that I cannot fully repay them and “even the score.” Grateful hearts are humble hearts.

Philippians 1:3 “I thank my God every time I remember you.”

Having an attitude of gratitude to and for those around us requires that we humble ourselves and value the other person. Expressing that gratitude is expressing the value that the other person has – showing them how treasured they truly are, both for who they are and what they do. Bestowing honor and expressing worth.

Colossians 1:3-4 “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people.”

Now, at this point I feel I have a confession to make: I am a terrible thank-you note writer. I’m pretty sure we missed some people on our thank-you list after our wedding, a major breach of etiquette! But even as we talk about expressing thanks to those around us, I want to challenge you to think beyond the socially obligatory thank-you note for a gift or service. How do we express thanks in a way that shows those around us that we deeply value them, that we see worth in who they are and what they do?

1 Thessalonians 1:2 “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.”

Clearly, there is no cookie-cutter formula for genuinely thanking those who have touched our lives. In order for our thanks to be sincere and uncontrived, the way you thank those around you will vary depending on your gifts, resources, and who you are thanking for what – the options are nearly limitless.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.”

Here are some principles that we can all keep in mind:

  1. Because thanking people really means recognizing their individual value and worth, our “thanks” should be tailored to them! Whether expressed verbally, in a written note, or in a gift, thanking others is a time to give true encouragement and honor the individuals God has used to touch our lives.
  2. Isn’t it interesting how Paul, instead of just saying, “thank you,” says over and over, “I thank God for you?” Paul isn’t just recognizing a particular gift or act of service – he is giving honor to these people’s lives and thanking God for their very existence! As we express gratitude to those around us, we should give real thought to how to express to them that we are thankful not just for what they have done for us, but for their very lives – they have worth, regardless of what they do.
  3. While thanking others is certainly a habit we can form, it shouldn’t be trite. We know the difference between our children thanking us with gratitude and thanking us because it is an expected verbal response – a true humble heart of gratitude will shine through when we communicate! I love reading all of Paul’s expressions of thanks for people in his letters – He clearly is genuinely full of gratitude to and for them, and it shows up in his prayer life, his word choices, his life patterns.

Philemon 1:4 “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers…”

As we prepare for Thanksgiving tomorrow, who are you thankful for? How can you express that to them today? How can we live lives that don’t just meet social expectations but actually bestow honor and recognize the worth of those God has placed around us?

Thankful to be used

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When was the last time you felt used? I’m not referring to the last time some inconsiderate person took advantage of you. I’m talking about the last time God worked through you. When was the last time you felt used by God as an instrument of His will?

The Bible says God saved us to do good works. (Not saved by good works. We are saved completely and totally by grace through faith.) Before God ever saved us He had already made out a “to-do” list for us – specific things He wants us to do in the scope of His overall plan. (See Ephesians 2:10.) This truth should overwhelm us with gratitude! God does not need us for anything (Acts 17:25), yet He chooses to involve us – His sinful, imperfect people – in His work.

This glorious truth caused Mary, the mother of Jesus, to break out in a song of thanksgiving and praise. Humbled in God’s choosing, she felt favored that God would use her to bring His son into the world.

And Mary said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,  for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is His name.” Luke 1:46-49, NIV

I am thankful for the times I have been used by God. I regularly recognize and thank God for the privilege of teaching His Word, for using me to encourage someone else, or to serve His church. However, I have been completely overcome with gratitude during those times when God has allowed me to participate when He brings a soul into His Kingdom.

In my experience, there is nothing more humbling, overwhelming, and joyful than praying with someone to accept Christ as their Savior. Not long ago, I wrote about one such experience with an 87 year-old-woman in Moldova. I still thank God that in His grace He let me witness this spiritual birth!

Share examples with us of times you’ve been thankful for being used by God. In what specific ways has God worked through you that fostered feelings of gratitude to God?

Jesus’ Pattern of Giving Thanks

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He spoke the world into being, created everything that exists, placed the planets in space, set the seasons in motion and continues to sustain the totality of all that is, yet, Jesus left us with a beautiful example of giving thanks.

It’s amazing how the Bread of Life was thankful for His daily bread.

Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd. Matthew 15:36

The one who is our Wisdom was thankful for the wisdom given to the simple.

“At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.” Matthew 11:25

The one whose words move mountains and thunders through the heavens, speaks words of thanksgiving to the Heavenly Father for hearing and answering His prayer.

“Jesus responded, ‘Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.'” John 11:40-42

The one who established the Passover, became the Passover Lamb. Yet before He took His place on the cross as the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world, He gave thanks to the Heavenly Father

“As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘Take this and eat it, for this is my body.'” Matthew 26:25

Jesus leaves us the perfect example of what it means to be thankful. Whether eating, seeking wisdom, living to glorify Christ or facing difficult days we must maintain a heart of thanksgiving.

As we approach the day we celebrate with thanksgiving for all He is and all He has done, we are painfully aware that this may be a difficult time for you. Life isn’t always easy.

Yet, Jesus has come that we might have life and have it more abundantly. He has called us to be thankful regardless of our circumstances. A friend of mine recently said, “Why do we thank God when things are good, but not when they are bad?” Should we only expect that which is good and easy?

Our thanks is to God because He is God and He is good – regardless of what our life may whisper in our ears. No wonder the Word of God tells us to give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God.

Have you thought about how Jesus left us a pattern of thanks giving? Do you struggle with being thankful in all things?

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