A Thanksgiving Thought 2018

                                   

“Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God, giving thanks to His name.

                                                                                              Heb. 13:15

God’s good hand provides everything that we need and much more every day! What is at the top of your “thanks list” to God? Things or God Himself? Health or God’s treasures? Happiness or His joy? And the list goes on.

The NIV instructs us in verses 16, 17, and 18 of 1 Thess. 5 how to be able to offer paeans of thankfulness: “Be joyful always, pray continually” and one more, “give thanks in all circumstances.”  Ouch! How? We can thank Him for His presence and strength that will carry us through the deepest distress. Remember: God is not dead. At the same time remember:  God has purposes to be accomplished, and for us to accomplish, that are beyond our wildest comprehension.

James McDonald’s commentary presents in Romans 8:28 that a Christian ought to be able to “praise the Lord at all times, in all circumstance, and for everything…” (Believer’s Bible Commentary). Ouch! The Holy Spirit is helping me work on that! 

Giving thanks to God should be the Christian’s natural emotion. NAW

God provides us with wisdom, strength, power, infinite love, and unmerited grace. He also gives us talents and abilities to enjoy things of this life. Don’t forget. Every mercy He gives increases our obligation to thank Him. Thanksgiving is never out of season!

“A paraplegic, wheeling himself among the busy crowd was asked how he could sing in his condition. He answered with a smile, ‘When I stopped [thinking] at what I had lost and concentrated on all I had left, I found much for which I could rejoice and be happy.’ ”

Martin Rinckart, the German author of “Now Thank We All Our God,” lost his wife in the severe epidemic of 1637. He was driven to despair to find food and clothes for his children. Yet he triumphed to pen, “O may this bounteous God thro’ all our life be near us, with ever joyful hearts, and blessed peace to cheer us.” The first stanza expresses God’s “countless gifts of love.” The last stanza is a doxology of praise to the “all powerful, eternal, triune God.”

The grand finale: “To God be the glory—great things He hath done.” 

Norma Whitcomb

(Excerpts from Norma Whitcomb’s 2015 Blog)

The Light

Isn’t Christmas a delightfully joyous time of the year! Glowing, radiant, bright, shining lights illumine our eyes, hearts, minds, and emotions as at no other time. If that were all there was to it, we could be most miserable of all women in the midst of the frivolity. All could be dull, dim, obscure and life could be meaningless.

But there is more! So much more! Jesus made a grand statement in the temple. He declared, “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12). But the glorious Light was rejected by the majority, and dimness and dullness has hovered over the earth ever since.

I would like to make a practical application which has been my recent experience due to our move to this cozy apartment. Our large home had porches that hindered the sunlight from shining on our hard wood floors. The sunlight streams in on the dark bamboo floors of our present home exposing dust that I don’t see on overcast days and I’m mortified. The lesson for me from this often repeated experience keeps me on my spiritual tip- toes.  What do we do with the uncleanness in our hearts that the light of God’s Word continually exposes?  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). When the sunlight reveals dust on my floor, I run for the mop. Lord, please help us to be as quick to run to you and your word for the cleansing process to our dirty hearts.  “ The Lord is my light and my salvation…” (Psa. 27:1)

Dear friends, it is with regret that I am taking a leave from posting my blog. Since I ask the Lord to pass the lessons through the grid of my heart, I have profited so much from preparing them; even to the point of occasionally going back to old blogs for refreshment, correction, and challenge. I have other accomplishments to pursue and I can’t do them all at this time.

May God’s love, peace, and blessing be yours.                      

Norma Whitcomb

Help from Above

“For I, the Lord thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, ‘Fear not, I will help thee’ (Isaiah 41:13).

How personal! The eternal God of Heaven, the all powerful Creator of the universe, our personal Father dwelling above, is holding your and my hand. Unthinkable apart from the fact that He is “I am who I am.” Stop everything for a bit, sit down and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal that blessed assurance to you. —————-    (Pause) Did you? I did.

In fact, I have been thriving on such promises all my life, but especially since June. For at least one year it has been obvious that we had to simplify our lives by downsizing. My husband’s large study containing more than 2,000 books was his challenge, but the rest of the large, functional household has been mine, and there is no way to describe the numerous ways in which God has fulfilled His promises to give wisdom and strength for the task at hand.

In the midst of big question marks our Lord does not leave us in a quandary nor confusion. As I have stood in a room or opened a file drawer I have sent many  SOSs to my Father. “Where do I start? What am I to do with all this stuff?”  Where He leads us, He will direct and help us. There have been difficulties as well as physical weaknesses, but God has supported us. We have been confident that He holds us by
His strong right hand.

I want you to catch the fact that this is not to be so much about us as it is about God who is our strong Helper. He will be just that in every circumstance of life as you take Him into your situations. He rejoices when you do that. He yearns that you do that. He is your Father and He wants to take that responsibility. Perhaps you are in need at this very moment. Weak? In difficulty? Oppressed? His strength is made perfect in your weakness. His strength is glorified in your weakness. He will strengthen you with His powerful right hand of righteousness and bundle  you up in His strong everlasting arms. All in answer to your believing, prevailing prayer.

He has promised and He will surely do it.

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed! 
Lo, I am thy God, and will still give thee aid!
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.”

Faith Tested

Has your faith been stretched lately? Maybe right now? God has a purpose for those fiery ordeals. You know that, don’t you? Peter makes a bold statement. He advises us that the trial of our faith is precious. It is so precious that is exceeds the worth of gold! Stop and think about that. Let it go through the grid of your mind as well as your heart. Look at your ring, your watch, your necklace, your jewelry box. Which do you treasure most? Faith or shiny metal? Which do we want people to be attracted to? Our faith or our jewelry? God’s Word presents a short but penetrating statement: “WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD”  (Heb. 11:6).   I’m so thankful that God directed me to these thoughts today.( I need to consider them, myself)

Can you believe it? This article, which I have edited, came in today’s mail. Scientists have discovered that gold veins can be produced in a few tenths of a second. “Veins of gold are  produced when molten rock flowing through cracks (caused by earthquakes) deep in the earth depressurize rapidly, causing the minerals and metals to precipitate out. … During the Flood of Noah’s day there would have been intense earthquake activity, which would have produced gold in a flash.”

The Book describes Heaven as a place where gold is commonplace. The streets are paved with it! In our ignorance we sometimes place value on things that turn out to be of little value. Our desires overtake us. If we are believing Christians, the Holy Spirit yearns to direct and correct us.

Not for a minute am I implying that owning and wearing gold is out of place. I enjoy wearing gold, but which do I cherish most — the opportunity to encourage someone in their walk with the Lord, or my jewelry? I trust you don’t think this is too nitty-gritty. To me it is very important as I turn the searchlight onto my heart.

Why does God permit fiery ordeals? For reasons known only to Him. Trials do prove the genuineness of our faith and they certainly do prove the adequacy of God. Rather than asking “why,” we trustingly acquiesce, knowing that our Father is loving and wise. “Faith keeps us confident and holds us steady, because we know that ‘manifold trials’ (1 Pet. 1:6 - ASV) are always matched by the ‘manifold grace of God’” (1 Pet. 4:10 - KJV). Source unknown. Don’t miss it: “Manifold trials are always matched by the manifold grace of God.”

“You may find it difficult to sing when overcome by buffeting. Rest in the sovereignty of God’s rest like you rest on a soft couch. Relax in Jesus. Trust the Father to do exceeding abundantly for those who trust Him. Claim Romans 8:28.

God holds the whole wide world in His hands, yet He knows the number of hairs on our head.  He cares when a sparrow falls, yet the price He paid for the redemption of one of us is greater than all the sparrows of the world. Would He forsake you or me — His priceless ones? No! A thousand times, No!!!! Rest on His promise: “I will never, absolutely never, assuredly never leave nor forsake you!!!”  (Heb. 13:5). Emphasis as in the Greek.

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God,” Matthew 5:8. Promise. Hope. Peace of heart, mind, and soul. That is what we Christian women absolutely need these days, isn’t it? It is ours for the taking. Let’s dwell here for awhile.

Why do we struggle when God offers us such an awesome blessing? People all around us are hurting deeply. Maybe you are one; or one of your family members.

I am still lingering in Isaiah for my daily study these days. Just think! Thousands of years ago God, through the the Holy Spirit, inspired Isaiah to pen exactly what you and I need today.

Let’s look at Matthew 5:8 for a moment before delving into Isaiah. Jesus took His disciples aside and warned them about the temptations that they would face for following Him—mourning, hunger, and persecution. Not fame and fortune, ease and pleasure, not to be a socialite and gain prestige. The beatitudes tell us that we are blessed. Jesus used the word “blessed” to mean the  experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. Jesus explained that His kingdom and the worldly kingdoms differ immensely. What are we living for? Selfishness or sacrifice, pride or humility, self-sacrifice or lust for monetary gain? What are we striving for? How do we qualify to receive God’s blessing?

The 30th chapter of Isaiah causes us to examine our own “manner of life” as we read about God’s dealings with Judah. Verse one immediately catches our attention with the penetrating word “Woe.” What is the red flag? The Lord declares it to be independence from Him. “Woe …to those who carry out plans that are not mine.” In our dilemma and searching for answers, we seek advice from everyone but God. We search for comfort, advice, relief, hoping to find an easy way out of our troubles. God yearns that we consult Him. He says, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” ( Matt.11:28). Note the assurance of verse18, “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you…Blessed are all who wait for Him.” Yes, He gives help in emergencies, but He longs to be our Helper and Guide throughout our lives. When we do it His way, we have a bond with God that provides ceaseless stability, even when we hurt.

Carefully note Isaiah 30: 15-19. The sovereign Lord made it clear to His people that they would have had salvation, quietness, rest, and strength if they had turned to Him. They said, “No, we will seek our own means.” For that, the Lord struck His people with the bread of adversity and the water of affliction.

Friends, I am writing this from my heart, but I don’t feel that I am adequately expressing myself. This particular study in Isaiah has hit me just where I need it, because I’m one, who, at times, rushes ahead of God to be “Mrs. Fix It.” I don’t mean to be. I’m well aware of the fact that God wants me to lean only on Him. It just happens before I know it. (I am learning.) PTL! Only as we come to God in quietness and trust can we experience God’s grand design. We have nothing to say but thank you. Yes, I really believe that. I pray you do to.

We go to Him in prayer and God comes to us with fulfillment of His promises to teach us and guide us during hard times. It is that we might grow in His image and thus glorify Him.

In closing, note that God reminds us of His abundant graciousness as well as His compassion, justice, and patience when we wait on Him (verse 18).

And now a quote from my Life Application Study Bible: “The Lord gave his people the bread of adversity…but he promised to be with them, teach them, and guide them during hard times. God expects a lot from us and many times following him can be painful; but he always acts out of his love for us. The next time you go through a difficult time, try to appreciate the experience  and grow from it.”

“How quickly we organize our lives around human advice [or our own ideas] when dealing with our problems while we neglect God’s eternal promises…Satan tries to confuse or deceive us. People don’t necessarily need to be sinful to be ineffective for God: they need only be confused about what God wants. To avoid Satan’s deceit, study God’s Word carefully and regularly. When you know  what God says, you will not fall for Satan’s lies” (LASBible).

Norma speaking as a result of recent experiences: let God lead. Cooperate  with Him. His way is perfect.

Thought 98

"God does not direct year by year, nor even day by day, but step by step my path unfolds; my Lord directs the way.  Tomorrow's plans I do not know, I only know this minute.  But He will say, "This is the way, by faith now walk ye in it."  And when tomorrow comes, His grace shall far exceed its care. What need to worry then, or fret?  The God who gave His Son holds all my moments in His hand and gives them one by one."

Thought 97

"When peace like a river attendeth my way.  When sorrows like sea billows roll.  Whatever my lot, you have taught me to say, 'It is well, it is well with my soul.' "  Yes Lord. "Be still and know that I am God" (Psa. 46:10).