Thanksgiving With Gratitude

Where does thankfulness come from?
Does it involuntarily jump up like a playful kitten
Ready to pounce?
Or does it tiptoe in to one’s room
Where hurt or pain has trounced?

When I don’t feel thankful . . .
Can I choose to open my heart’s door?
And there concede I really do have
So much to be thankful for.

Our lives are so filled with busyness
And we’re ever in such a hurry
You’d think to show a bit of gratitude
Would be too much to curry.

Yet our Loving, Heavenly Father
Who never takes His eyes off of us
Ever so often remind us to always
”Give thanks and trust.”

“Trust? With life as crazy as it gets
Would be insane,” you say.
But when you finally bow your head
Humbled as you pray . . .

You are only giving what is due
The One who gives your every breath,
Then carries you to Heaven,
Past the sting of death.

When we gather in our homes
to offer God a blessing,
May we allow Him precedence over the
Turkey and the dressing.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

by Darla J Short-Lewis

Remember Me

“And he was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” Luke 23:42

Two men—criminals—were crucified at the same time as Jesus, one on His right and one on His left. Initially, their voices joined the chorus of those who mocked Jesus. Then one of them saw his own sin for what it was, the just reward for his own deeds.

He recognized Jesus had done nothing wrong. He heard Jesus ask God to forgive the people for they didn’t know what they were doing. They didn’t know. They didn’t understand.

The sign at the top of Jesus’ cross pronounced the reason for his execution . . . “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (John 19:19) To be sure all who passed by would get the message, the accusation was written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin. But it didn’t list the real reason they hated him—His claim to be the Son of God,—Son of Man and seed of David—-the rightful heir to David’s throne.

The criminal on the cross next to Jesus heard and understood enough. “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” He didn’t have to wait for the answer.

“And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 28:43

Supernatural darkness covered the whole earth from the sixth hour until the ninth hour (noon until three local time). At the end of that time Jesus cried out to God—committing His spirit into His Father’s hands—and breathed his last. A few hours later the unnamed criminal joined Jesus in Paradise. He was unnamed to us, but Jesus had written his name in the Lamb’s book of life for eternity,

Abba Father, thank you for giving us the way to turn from the darkness of our sins . . . Jesus, thank you for being the Way—giving your life and blood—the pure and perfect sacrifice to take away our sins and record our names in Your Book of Life . . . Holy Spirit, thank you for giving us understanding of our need for Jesus . Renew in us each day the Love only You, our God and Savior, can give.

“No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:13-17

by Marilyn Allison

No More Hunger Or Thirst

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. Revelation 7:16

“‘To be supplied when we hunger is the mercy of earth, never to hunger at all is the plenitude of heaven. God will so fill the souls of the redeemed that they shall have no longings; their longings shall be prevented by their constant satisfaction”
Charles H Spurgeon

Can you imagine? Think about that; in heaven we will be continuously filled by the Lamb of God and Living water will quench our thirst. The constant outpouring of these will be in abundance—and knowing this makes it all the more desirous than before. But the way I see it, Heaven has already come to Earth.
 
Every year, instead of making New Years Resolutions, I ask Jesus what he wants for his birthday, it might sound foolish or maybe a little crazy but why not?. Some of the answers I’ve gotten have been to trust Him more. . . make more time for Him . . . be more available . . . submit to my husband. Always these requests have made my relationship with God richer, deeper. They've caused me to look upward instead of inward because none of these could’ve happened if I didn’t submit to God first.

“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:5

This year when I asked Jesus what He wanted, the answer came in the form of a question, “Am I enough for you?” Of course you are—automatic answer—then the Lord forced me to look at unhealthy attitudes, strained relationships and even over the top emotions. The question came again. “Am I enough?” Then the tears started because I knew He hasn’t been.

Making God—the all powerful, all knowing, ever present Creator and Savior of my soul—enough in my life should be a done deal, right? But every time I choose to do something outside His will for me I’m saying I don’t trust Him. Every time I grumble, every time I complain, every time I covet, every time I dig my heels in—I’m limiting His involvement in my life—telling God I know better and His provisions are not enough. Every time I hold on to a bad anger, resentment, and sin—I’m saying I prefer my sin to His grace! Ouch!

“Heaven shall exceed all the desires of God’s people; they shall not even with their enlarged capacities be able to wish for anything which they do not already posses so that they shall hunger no more in the sense that they shall never long for more than they have.” C H Spurgeon

This year I will make God enough in my life. I will turn to Him in prayer before I ask others for advice. I will find joy in all that my Lord has provided and continue to live in joy when there is lack. I know it won’t be easy; some bad habits are hard to break. But like I said before, Heaven has come to Earth. Jesus Christ turned the lack of love and mercy into an overflowing fountain of hope, grace, mercy and love for those who know Him here on earth.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9

By Eve Montno

Patterns to Pass On

In our house, I am the keeper of the files.  That's to say, I keep track of all the many files it requires to maintain our lives in Japan.

One thing we realized really quickly is that the Japanese love their forms.  There are so many in every facet of life here, and oftentimes, they need to be filled out annually.  Sometimes they're relatively simple, and sometimes quite complicated. 

But, you know, I have a solution. I make a copy of every single form I fill out and keep them all in a file called "How to fill out Japanese paperwork".  That way, I know exactly how to do it next year, and can refer back when I have questions (which I often do). It got me thinking though about patterns and how valuable they can be, especially when you make copies.

In the Bible, Paul writes to Timothy about patterns and looking back to what we've received in order to know what to do both now and in the future.

"Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim 1:13

"But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them" 2 Tim 3:14

"What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." 2 Tim 2:2

Paul, also, to the Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 11:23- “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you...”

There is a purity in passing on the essentials . . . in reproducing what we've received in our lives . . . in holding fast to the tenets of our faith.  The facts. It's both our life-changing treasure and our legacy to pass on.  

In essence, we need to make a copy for the next generation.

"Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come." Ps. 71:18

Forms of worship may change.  Church buildings look different around the world—different even from generation to generation.  The languages spoken in them will vary. Expression and cultures will vary.  Outreach will vary. Paul certainly wasn't using Twitter, but good old-fashioned ink and paper.

The Word of God never changes.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

In this shifting age we are living in, when we have questions or doubts or worries, we go back to the Word and what was handed down to us.  What does the Word of God say? 

We follow the pattern of sound words in faith and love.  Despite the consequences.

And in the process, day by day, we intentionally pass it on. Not at the end of our days but in the “every” days.

Many blessings to you as you head into this next month,

By Janine Alvarado, CCEA Missionary to Japan

PEACE

“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!” Psalm 29:10-11 

This month the theme of peace has been on my mind and heart. There have been times I’ve been anxious as I considered all the things I can’t do in my own strength—but that seem to be on my to-do list—knowing that though I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, some of them I don’t actually want to have to do or deal with! 

In these verses from Psalm 29, there seems to be a connection between the Kingship of God and peace in our lives. In other words, our peace is a response to His Kingship in our lives and in our heart. 

Hang with me for a second on this. 

First, Jesus is called our Prince of Peace. What is the connection? 

I believe when we recognize in our hearts and minds and submit to the Sovereignty of the Lord—His power and authority in our lives—we can relax, knowing that we are in the hands of our Loving God. 

We can submit our burdens to Him. We can carry our crosses. We can let go of trying to get it done ourselves and rest more in His timing and guidance though it be one instruction at a time. 

Sometimes I think I pray and ask God, and then I still want it figured out and to have the control to manage things. I’ve asked God, but haven’t relaxed enough to let go and trust the King to oversee the details. I haven't yet rested in His authority over situations. 

Another verse that came to mind has to do with peace of another kind, but it’s not totally unrelated:

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

This verse is in the context of relationships. When we trust our Prince of Peace—who loves our neighbors more than we do—and when we trust His Kingship over both us and them, we can trust that God will help us to handle our conflict. His peace ought to rule us—our hearts and those wily emotions.  

There’s an idea of submission here. We ought to be submitted to Jesus, our Prince of Peace. We need to trust His Kingship in our lives and also in the world, and to submit ourselves—present and cast our burdens—let His peace guard us (Philippians 4:7).   And let our hearts be submitted to His peace while we seek His guidance in navigating relationships in our lives. 

At the end of all this meditating, I’ve been asking myself when I feel anxiety creeping in, am I presenting my burdens to the Lord? If so, am I trusting and submitting to His Kingship and am I ready to wait for His response? Am I willing to let His peace rule my emotions?

I hope these are encouraging questions for you. They help me evaluate my own mind and heart and help me to choose to turn my eyes and ears to the Lord and to “be still to know that He is God.” 

Many blessings to you as you head into this new month,
 

Janine Alvarado, CCEA Missionary to Japan