Month: December 2016

“The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him; Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did (1 John 2:4-6).

 As this year ends I’m dealing with a heat pump that isn’t working properly.  After numerous calls apparently very little is covered by any warranty.  I want to blame somebody for this mechanical failure, but who?  The builder only guarantees anything for one year.  The installer claims he did what should be done.  FRUSTRATION!  Did I mention the whole situation is very frustrating?

The Apostle John reminded me in his first letter that whoever claims to live in God’s love must walk as Jesus did. I’m sure Jesus wouldn’t spend much time worrying about a heat pump. He would probably get it fixed and move on.  I’m trying to shift my focus from my frustrations to the fact that I’m blessed to have enough savings to cover the repair job.  Thank you, God.

In the meantime, the emergency heat is working and the gas fireplace has enough propane to continue helping to warm my house as needed.  Again, thank you, God.

I look toward this New Year with my motto in mind.

“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11).

God is supplier of all I have. May I never forget that!  He supplies needs, some wants, and especially forgiveness and salvation.  Celebrating Christmas lifts my heart to praise God for providing the greatest gift of all: salvation through the Baby in the manger, the Sacrificial lamb on the cross, and the resurrected Savior from the empty tomb!  It’s a celebration that continues weekly for Christians as we meet together for praise, worship, and participation in communion.  The writer of Hebrews says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).   Let’s remember this in 2017.  Happy New Year!

 

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  Genesis 1:1

Last week I attended a Christmas presentation at a nearby church and the story began with the creation of the world.  How appropriate!  Christmas is about the Creator God becoming our Savior God.  Jesus is the Creator and sustainer of the whole universe and yet He wants to save us!  He gave up Heaven and the Presence of God, allowed Himself to be conceived and nurtured in a woman’s womb, and was born into a family of lowly means.  The Creator depended on those He created to care for His needs, to provide for His safety and teach, train, and nurture Him through childhood.

What’s really amazing is that God had this planned before the creation of the world!

     “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”    Ephesians 1:4-6

I read these verses this morning and was reminded again of how much God wants us in His family.  Even before He made the first man and woman God had a plan to adopt us as His children according to His pleasure and will.

As we rejoice in the coming of the Savior let’s remember this GIFT was given because God wants us as His children.  Do we want Him?

 

I enjoyed several days with my kids and grandkids here on the farm. We enjoy meals together, many games of Contract Rummy and Spinner, and sharing memories of Dad and Grandpa. Everyone has safely returned home and back to school and work, and Molly and I are slowly adjusting to being by ourselves again.  It was too quiet after everyone went home. Molly had two other dogs to play with and missed them, too.

So, Thanksgiving Day has come and gone but my thanksgiving has not.  I continue to be grateful for life here on the farm. I enjoy the open space and mountain scenes.  I’m thankful for substitute teaching days and the opportunity to touch a child’s life. (And I don’t have to write lesson plans and grade papers!) I’m thankful for the Internet and for a computer to connect with my far-away friends.  And I am most thankful for the Word of God.

     “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also        supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11).

As I read this passage of Scripture this week I thought it would be a good motto for the new year. (Can another year be ending already?!)   God provides. God increases. I am enabled to be generous only because of God’s generosity and the result is thanksgiving to God.

I also noticed these verses are not just talking about material blessings.  God enlarges the harvest of my righteousness.  May I never forget that God makes me righteous through the sacrifice of His Son and the indwelling of His Spirit!     Thanks be to God for His amazing grace!