"Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean revel in Him!"
The Message translates Paul's words in Philippians 4:5 as a true declaration of praise and an unmistakable call to live each day to fullest. There seems to be little room for compartmentalization. In everything, praise God!
The Psalmist stated it this way: "I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 34:1, Amplified Bible) This is not a call to live life apart from pain and disappointment, for heartache and uncertainty wound us deeply in the seasons of this life. These two writers remind us however, that praise is not a situational gift offered to God. Praise is to be a constant expression of faith that speaks more about who God is that what we believe about God. Our feelings and viewpoints will change, but the Eternal One does not change. God is worthy of our praise every hour of every day. Therefore, we praise God sometimes with joyous words and thoughts, and sometimes we praise God through tears and brokenness.
The cold, mid-winter ground yielded a momentary glimpse of spring a few weeks ago as two tiny crocus blooms presented themselves in full color outside our kitchen window. It was a reminder of things to come, but also of God's provision in that particular moment. Jesus spoke in John 10:10 of the abundant living that he came to bring for all. We choose at times to live as people of poverty, not in a monetary or deeply spiritual sense, but rather as those beaten down, disadvantaged, who have little hope. Paul reminds us that God is to be celebrated every day..."I mean revel in Him!"
Our struggles aren't made non-existent when we offer God praise, but we gain a perspective about who God is that empowers "next-step" living, particularly when we don't think we can put one foot in front of the other. To praise the living God is to look beyond ourselves and recognize that our hope comes from the Lord, "the maker of heaven and earth."
In your devotional time tonight or tomorrow, read again Psalm 121. Be reminded that God is your help...that God knows of your "coming in and your going out," and that "the Lord watches over you."
Yes brothers and sisters, "Celebrate God every day, all day." Let us revel in the One who is ever worthy of our praise!
Jim Abernathy
Friday, February 18, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
A Walk to Remember
I have been reminded today that God is at work in the routines of daily life...you know, those ordinary tasks that must be done, but hold little excitement. Take walking the dogs for instance...not high on my fulfillment list, but necessary just the same. I suppose Freddie and Max, our miniature Schnauzers, think their walks are pretty cool because whenever the door is opened, or their leashes gathered, they immediately run to the kitchen for a new adventure...tails wagging, tongues panting, and often an agitated movement that makes putting their leashes on a test of manual dexterity and patience, particularly when we are returning home and they are released from the basement.
This morning I was walking with the boys when a neighbor drove by, stopped and rolled down the window of her car. We greeted one another and amazingly, Freddie and Max who always believe that every conversation and every encounter is an opportunity for them to join the discussion, stood strangely reserved. In the unexpected quiet, I was able to carry on a conversation with this neighbor and she asked if we had a prayer list at church. I assured her we did and asked how we could pray for her. She told me that her daughter had a massive stroke a few weeks ago. Her daughter has two teenage sons and has recently become engaged to be married. This daughter has had a number of health problems through the years, but this stroke has been devastating. Compounding the heartache is the fact that this woman's fiance's sixteen year-old daughter was seriously injured in an automobile accident a few weeks ago and is now in a coma.
As I stood in the street, Max and Freddie, quietly listening at my feet, my neighbor expressed her appreciation for including her daughter in our prayers, and then I asked her if I could have a prayer with her, right there in the street. She consented and we prayed...no traffic came by, no neighbors walked about us, and the dogs sat suddenly quiet and obedient. It was a moment of opportunity in the midst of a rather mundane, routine chore. Yet, God was present in a most unusual way.
As I finished, with tears in her eyes, my neighbor thanked me and drove away. Max, Freddie, and I made our way back home and they received their usual treat for a successful trip. God does work in mysterious ways, opening doors in particular moments with particular people that bring blessing. In the 119th Psalm, the Psalmist wrote, "Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders." (The Message) Having prayer with a neighbor is not necessarily a miracle event, but recognizing how God works in often unanticipated ways is indeed an eye-opening event. I believe God would have us walk, particularly through the routines of daily living, with eyes, minds, and hearts open to how He might use us...reminding us, and the world around us, of his "miracle-wonders."
Jim Abernathy
This morning I was walking with the boys when a neighbor drove by, stopped and rolled down the window of her car. We greeted one another and amazingly, Freddie and Max who always believe that every conversation and every encounter is an opportunity for them to join the discussion, stood strangely reserved. In the unexpected quiet, I was able to carry on a conversation with this neighbor and she asked if we had a prayer list at church. I assured her we did and asked how we could pray for her. She told me that her daughter had a massive stroke a few weeks ago. Her daughter has two teenage sons and has recently become engaged to be married. This daughter has had a number of health problems through the years, but this stroke has been devastating. Compounding the heartache is the fact that this woman's fiance's sixteen year-old daughter was seriously injured in an automobile accident a few weeks ago and is now in a coma.
As I stood in the street, Max and Freddie, quietly listening at my feet, my neighbor expressed her appreciation for including her daughter in our prayers, and then I asked her if I could have a prayer with her, right there in the street. She consented and we prayed...no traffic came by, no neighbors walked about us, and the dogs sat suddenly quiet and obedient. It was a moment of opportunity in the midst of a rather mundane, routine chore. Yet, God was present in a most unusual way.
As I finished, with tears in her eyes, my neighbor thanked me and drove away. Max, Freddie, and I made our way back home and they received their usual treat for a successful trip. God does work in mysterious ways, opening doors in particular moments with particular people that bring blessing. In the 119th Psalm, the Psalmist wrote, "Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders." (The Message) Having prayer with a neighbor is not necessarily a miracle event, but recognizing how God works in often unanticipated ways is indeed an eye-opening event. I believe God would have us walk, particularly through the routines of daily living, with eyes, minds, and hearts open to how He might use us...reminding us, and the world around us, of his "miracle-wonders."
Jim Abernathy
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Looking Beyond the Shadow
Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow on Groundhog Day this year which means, according to those who believe in such things, that we will have an early spring. Now I must say that I am not a true believer in Phil's ability to predict the weather, but I must admit, any prediction for an early spring is something I would like to believe in! Who knows, he either does or does not see his shadow...a fifty/fifty proposition. Chances are pretty good that he could be right.
We spend a great deal of our time in wishful thinking. When it comes to the weather, the meteorologists have their computer models and maps, but their forecasts are still simply predictions based on what they think will happen. Yes, their technology has improved through the years, but the outcomes are often still uncertain, mostly because they cannot control the weather. I suppose that often our wishful thinking focuses on things beyond our control. We wish for what we do not have or for what we want to happen. Sometimes those wishes come true, and sometimes....
In the midst of uncertain times, Paul spoke not of wishful thinking, but bold assurance: "I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day." (II TImothy 1:12, TNIV) He believed the gospel message of Jesus Christ to be trustworthy and he gave himself fully in living that truth before the world.
D.L. Moody, nineteenth-century evangelist, once said that the world has yet to see what God can do with one man (or woman) completely committed to Him. The challenge of Moody's words may seem a bit overwhelming to us, and as a result, we are sometimes more comfortable "playing the percentages" of our wishful thinking instead of boldly stepping out in faith to trust the Lord.
I don"t know the accuracy of Punxsutawney Phil's record, but I doubt there are too many people swayed by his annual February predictions. Trusting fully in the living God, however, I can live with assurance in the One who has promised never to leave or forsake me. I don't have to look for a shadow...I believe in the resurrected Christ! That is good news you and I can count on!
Jim Abernathy
We spend a great deal of our time in wishful thinking. When it comes to the weather, the meteorologists have their computer models and maps, but their forecasts are still simply predictions based on what they think will happen. Yes, their technology has improved through the years, but the outcomes are often still uncertain, mostly because they cannot control the weather. I suppose that often our wishful thinking focuses on things beyond our control. We wish for what we do not have or for what we want to happen. Sometimes those wishes come true, and sometimes....
In the midst of uncertain times, Paul spoke not of wishful thinking, but bold assurance: "I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day." (II TImothy 1:12, TNIV) He believed the gospel message of Jesus Christ to be trustworthy and he gave himself fully in living that truth before the world.
D.L. Moody, nineteenth-century evangelist, once said that the world has yet to see what God can do with one man (or woman) completely committed to Him. The challenge of Moody's words may seem a bit overwhelming to us, and as a result, we are sometimes more comfortable "playing the percentages" of our wishful thinking instead of boldly stepping out in faith to trust the Lord.
I don"t know the accuracy of Punxsutawney Phil's record, but I doubt there are too many people swayed by his annual February predictions. Trusting fully in the living God, however, I can live with assurance in the One who has promised never to leave or forsake me. I don't have to look for a shadow...I believe in the resurrected Christ! That is good news you and I can count on!
Jim Abernathy
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