The month of December is for recommitting ourselves to prayer for one another and matters that matter. It seems to be easy to fall out of the habit of regular prayer when the stuff of life happens and pulls on us and disappoints us and distracts us. But we can refocus and return to (or begin) the all-important discipline of regular prayer in December. Eph.6:18, Amp — “With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.” 1Tim.2:8, Amp — “Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger and disputing or quarreling or doubt [in their mind].”
Kathy — Wisdom is working to equip us to prevail in days ahead over key forces like offense, self-pity, anger and fear. The power of those forces is that they condition us to defeat ourselves. Offense is stumbling and it causes us to cripple ourselves. Offense causes us to become distrustful and desert our post. We do not have to take in offense even when it comes banging on our door with every logic. Ps.119:165, TPT — “There is such a great peace and well-being that comes to the lovers of your word, and they will never be offended.”
As the people of God assemble today may they all give acknowledgement and give assent that Yahweh is due “Amens” and “Hallelujahs” from everyone — from the ancient ones all the way to us today and to the ones who are yet to be born. Ps.106:48, TPT — “Blessed be our Lord God forever and ever. And let everyone everywhere say, “Hallelujah!” Amen! Faithful is our King!” Let them all say, “Be it so, certainly, truly” for merciful, Almighty God is faithful and true to His Word and to His character. Though people had sinned, though the sins were listed in this Psalm as a witness against them, yet the Lord was merciful to them so that there was reason for thanksgiving, for “Amens” and “Hallelujahs”. Amen, Oh, King of Kings!
No matter what catastrophe is making headlines, we are already obligated to the purposes of Almighty God. We have already made a decision for the God of heaven. Bad things that happen may make it a bit more difficult to get certain things done and may knock wind out of us but they must not become insurmountable walls; they must only be obstacles which we overcome to fulfill purpose. (Rom.8:39)
Kathy — When we refuse to listen we never learn to think and decide as God does. A hardened heart can mean we’ll never get where we were born to go. Why would we choose to waste our lifetime, our opportunity to accomplish what we were born to do? Jer.29:11 tells us that God has good plans for us with an expected end. An expected end: the hoped for outcome, the longed for outcome and that which we’ve waited for.
Our hearts are turned to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in thanksgiving for His sacrificial and redemptive acts of love in our behalf. We receive them and what He has procured through them that we may gratefully bring glory to His Wonderful Name. “And let the peace from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].” (Col.3:15, Amp)
A while back I walked into the kitchen and I said to Kathy, “That smells like Thanksgiving!”. As I walked in, I experienced a wide range of sensory connections with Thanksgiving. The smell of spices and basting meat and the odors of baking coming out of the oven filled my senses. But I also began to hear things. As memories of Thanksgivings-come-and-gone stirred in my mind, I could hear the sounds of those gatherings, those loved ones, those children, those songs, that worship—in my memory. Kathy couldn’t hear any of it but I could hear many things all at once. I had to just stand there for a minute or two, not focusing on anything in the room but looking with my memory into those sights and sounds that had been cherished and stored away in valuable files of my heart. Then, even as I write now, hot tears filled my eyes and my heart raced up at the peace and joy and delight all those sounds and people in my memory brought to me. I didn’t even realize that I had tucked those precious memories away so many years ago. But the loving atmosphere, the loving people, the lovely ambiance and delicious foods all impacted my senses then for a delightful, sensory and welcome release now. No camera could have accomplished what those pleasant experiences wrought, for they were drawn up out of the well of cherished ones and cherished things in my heart. And for a brief time they were all there, all real and all so lovely once again. I am so thankful for a rich heritage, deeply meaningful relationships and for cherished memories that still impact me today. May this Thanksgiving bring to you sights and sounds and smells that pleasantly soothe you and heal you, and may they all bring you to a fresh place of rest in our Lord. (Prov.10:7a, Amp) ”The memory of the righteous [person] is a blessing,”.
martygabler 