Doubting Fear

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4, NKJV)

If it wasn’t for the Psalms I might lose hope. David is so transparent. We see him in his mountain top experiences and in the lowest depths of despair. Yes, at times, “the man after God’s own heart” was afraid and doubted.

In June I was surprised how deep my doubting could go when the fear of cancer slapped me in the face. In God’s mercy the polyp was only precancerous, but I saw a part of my sinful heart that is not fully surrendered to the Lord.

For the past couple of year night driving has become more and more difficult for me. Now it threatens to even more seriously limit my driving. An eye condition I’ve had from birth (or more correctly very shortly after from high levels of oxygen in the incubator) is making it harder for me to compensate as my eyes go through the normal changes of aging.

FEAR!

DOUBTS!

In many families this would not cause these emotions to raise their ugly heads quite as noticeably, but due to a similar incubator situation my husband is totally blind. I fear letting him down. I also fear the lost independence this mean to both of us.

Heavenly Father: Your providential love is unfailing and able to calm my doubting fears. Thank you for David’s transparent psalms that give me hope.

Turkey Soup

Thanksgiving dinner is not complete until I make turkey soup a day or two later. This year we spent Thanksgiving Day with my in-laws so I didn’t cook our own turkey until Friday and the large heavy bottomed soup pot didn’t come out of the cupboard until this morning.

The turkey bones and drippings go into the pot then the pile is covered with water and a little chicken broth. Next onions, carrots and celery get chopped and added. Once the pot comes to a boil the burner is turned down to simmer for hours. Then the mixture goes through a large colander so only broth remains. A portion of the broth goes into a smaller pot to make soup. The rest is poured into freezer bags to be used later. Last more vegetables are chopped up and added along with left over turkey meat and rice and simmered a little longer.

It takes all day to make turkey soup.

How long have each of us spent in the Bible today? God desires for our time with Him to have more in common with an old fashioned pot of homemade turkey soup then condensed soup from a red and white labeled can. I love writing devotionals but let me add a warning.

Devotionals cannot take the place of time in the Bible ourselves. One is rich and filling the other only a small taste at best. Condensed soup is helpful, but a little bland eaten alone.

Not Only On Thanksgiving

I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. (Psalm 69:30 - NKJV)

Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NKJV)

This week as you gather with family and friends make a conscience choice to carry a heart of thankful gratitude throughout the holidays.

Every year Christmas decorations rush into stores earlier and earlier. Songs to entice our holiday spirit (and our wallets) fill the air before Thanksgiving dinner even has a chance to digest. Are these verses commanding us to list the things we need to do between now and Christmas or the things deserving our gratitude and praise?

This year plan a thankful Christmas season. Spend more time looking for ways to show others how much you appreciate them and less time caught up in packages and bows. Both our hearts and our checkbooks will be fuller December 26th.

Dulled by Prosperity

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:8 – NKJV)

If we are not careful we can become dulled by our prosperity. Gluttony can rob us from the joy of being full. Plenty can cause us to take the good things all around us for granted forgetting to thank the Lord who provides them.

Sometimes God blesses us with good health, puts plenty of food in the cupboard and provides us with money in the bank. Other times God strips us of worldly possessions, sends poor health and showers us with suffering and trials so our dulled senses can better appreciate the deeper riches of His grace. Neither are necessarily a sign of the Lord’s judgment or good pleasure. Both are outpourings of His unfailing love for His children.

Be sure your desire for the good things in life don’t rob you from possessing a joyful heart of gratitude as the modern “health, wealth and prosperity gospel” whispers its soothing words into your ears.

Heavenly Father: Help me see Your goodness in need as well as plenty. Not all of Your gifts come in shiny packages with bows. Sometimes the greatest treasures are hidden in wrappings of great sorrow and can only be seen on bended knees.

Prosperity Gospel?

Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off form the fold,
and there be no herd in the stalls—
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
(Habakkuk 3:17, 18 – NKJV)

Many believers today place their hope in three little words - health, wealth and prosperity. Their pastors are preaching this message. It is easy on the ears. But, this prosperity gospel is not found in the Bible. The examples given through Scriptures show us people who suffered when they faithfully followed the Lord. What happens to our faith when life doesn't deliver if our hope is in these false promises?

Able was murdered by his own brother.
Joseph was thrown into prison.
Job lost nearly everything including his health.
Paul was stoned, shipwrecked and finally beheaded.
John died in exile.

Some enjoyed great prosperity later in life, but many more did not. If you need more examples read the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. The next time you are tempted to doubt God’s goodness because you do not see the “health, wealth and prosperity” you are looking for meditate on a modern rendition of the above passage and keep faith.

Though the pantry is empty,
And there is no food,
Though my job is outsourced;
And my health fails;
Though my bank account dwindles,
and there is no hope of building it back up—
“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

Autumn Color

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made . . ." (Romans 1:20 – NKJV)

Yesterday our younger daughter and I drove to Cedarville, Ohio, to spend the afternoon with our older daughter who is a student at Cedarville University. The drive through the Ohio countryside was breath taking. We drank in the beauty of God’s handiwork in the changing colors of autumn.

The enjoyment of color is something God reserved for humans, created in His image. Animals see the world like old black and white reruns of The Andy Griffith Show. How thankful I was yesterday for the blessing of yellows, oranges and shades of gold spread across the landscape for our enjoyment.

God’s “invisible attributes” are clearly seen in the works of His hand. Each painted leaf fluttering through the gentle breeze yesterday was a fingerprint of God’s goodness poured out on people like you and me who do nothing to deserve His love.

Heavenly Father: Guard my heart as I marvel at the wonders of Your creation. Set a watch over my heart lest I get lost in the creation and forget the Creator.