Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

“But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the LORD alone.” (Jonah 2:9)

I’ve recently read that “when your mind is occupied with thanking [God], you have no time for worrying or complaining.” (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young) How much of a sacrifice is it to praise instead of worry?  It doesn’t seem like it should be a sacrifice…but I know it is. Sometimes the pain is just too much. I don’t have the words to speak or think; and if I do have words, “thank you” is not the first ones to come to mind. My worries and trials are the things in my life (present or past) that I want to be different but aren’t and maybe will never change. There are times when I don’t want to praise; I don’t want to be thankful. I just wallow in my worries, thinking I can “fix” things for myself. I constantly pick up “that” worry instead of lay it down and thank my Heavenly Father for how “that” worry or situation is refining me to become more of “the” woman He has always intended for me to be. It reminds me of how I let my children make a bad choice (after I have already told them my desire for their good, and what I think is the better choice to make) – I let them fall, so they can learn how to get back up, make the better choice and learn to walk a better path in the future having learned what is good for them. I know they will be safer, they will be stronger, they will be wiser by going a tough path for a season and learning how to follow the signs for a better path.

God does not desire sacrifices of things…He want us (Hosea 6:6). He calls us to something more than giving our stuff – He calls us to give ourselves, our hearts, our dreams, our worries. It’s why He made us…to love us, to care for us and our needs (1 Peter 5:7), to free us from the bondage of sin (ours and others sin against us), to lead us along paths of righteousness, to simply be with us forever. God does not want us to walk the path alone; He wants us to walk with Him. Yet, here I am, this side of Heaven…getting lost in the mire of “the” worries instead of looking up, seeing my powerful and loving Heavenly Father’s face and thanking Him for making me new, different and working all things for my good; even if “the” worry doesn’t or can’t change. (Revelation 21:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:28). So, no matter what the day (or this life) has brought me, I can offer a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving and rejoice because this is “the” day the LORD has made for me (Psalm 118:24).

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,” (Hebrews 12:28 NIV)

How can I pray for you in this day the LORD has made for you?

Rush Hour

Proverbs 19:2 - It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

Don’t rush the journey that brings wholeness, complete knowledge of a situation and leads to the path of God’s perfect will vs. His permitted will.

I’m working through some tough issues of my past and EVERYTHING within me (well, almost everything – I’ll explain that later) wants to push fast-forward and get past the uncomfortable, painful part and onto the fresh, new, bright place waiting on the other side of this dark valley. I don’t want to be like a broken bone that is used too soon and not cared for properly. Sure the bone could be usable but not as strong and whole as intended. A bone that is not allowed to heal right will not regain its strength and would have to be re-broken so the healing can be complete.

Rushing is never in God’s plan and perfection. God had the Israelites travel the long way to the promised land so they could learn to trust, obey and KNOW He was/is faithful in His provision, His timing…His Love. He provided redemption and shelter from enemies, food in the middle of the empty, barren desert, refreshing water out of hard rocks…boldness, strength, true worship and obedience out of hard hearts as the people walked with Him along the grueling journey to the lush, promised land (Exodus 14, 16, 17, Proverbs 21:3, Hosea 6:6, Hebrews 10:4-10). Jesus Himself, never rushed to a place (even if it would mean saving a friend from death (John 11:1-44)), He made time for people so the full knowledge of God would be shared and understood by all who truly desired. This is why nearly EVERYTHING within me wants to run as fast as I can past this pain. When I listen, it is God IN me who keeps me calm in the confusion and darkness, He is my light for the path ahead and He reassures me of my victory through the valley and into the promised land. (John 16:33, Psalm 119:105).

Embracing

Things of this world should not be held too tightly, they keep you from embracing God.

With all the news about Hurricane Sandy, the remembrances of all the other major storms to devastate our country and others and EVERYTHING lost to these storms....lives, homes, cars...stuff.  I have been thinking of the importance of who and what I "hold" dear. Everything in this world will be taken at some point. The Bible describes us and the things here like this "People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades." (1 Peter 1:24) And although God made us to love one another; He made us to love Him first. "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.(Matthew 6:33)

This blog is called 'Everyday Wisdom' because I believe that there is something to be learned everyday about God, ourselves and each other. Since this is my first post, I wanted to share something about who God is making me to be. He continues to make me a woman who seeks His face above all else. You will get to know me more and I pray that we can discuss many issues openly and lovingly. I do indeed want to share faith (not just mine but I want to get to know yours as well), offer prayer (this is the only way I know to make a difference in my life and the life of those I love) and give hope ("Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him." Psalm 62:5).

Guidelines:

Ideas can be different but never worded harshly or without love and kindness - a desire for open dialogue and never to shut out.

Share ways I (and anyone who follows this blog) can pray for you and your needs - this experience will be awesome to see how God moves and fulfills His people.