Give Thanks In All Things

I want to write this post in memory of my cousin Dennis Hanson, who passed away this week. Dennis was a very positive person, who was an encouragement to everyone around him. Whenever you talked to him, he made you feel like you were very special. He was always interested in what was going on in your life. We will miss him a lot in our family, but we realize that he is with the Lord Jesus now, and there is no better place to be. Our prayers go out to his wife Jean, and their family. In thinking of Dennis, I think of this Scripture from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." It is never easy to give thanks for the trials that come in our lives. We have more of a tendency to ask the question: "Why God is this happening to me?" Our Heavenly Father allows trials to come in our lives to serve various purposes. One of those purposes is for our development of patience. As James says, "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." (James 1:3) We are to rejoice that we have a God who is with us in our trials. We are to keep in constant communication with Him, for encouragement, and give thanks in everything, because God is working something in our lives, that will be to our benefit, and those around us. Thank you Dennis for showing us, that this is the way we are to be! GP Photo of Wildcat Mountain State Park in Ontario, Wisconsin.

Decently And In Order

"Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40) Prior to this verse, the apostle Paul speaks to the Christians at Corinth concerning the use of their spiritual gifts, during their time of worship. The main purpose is for edification. The body of Christ needs to be encouraged by the Word of God. They did not have the New Testament then, so teaching came through the ability of prophesying and speaking in tongues. There was to be respect for each one's time to exhibit these gifts, and truly share concerning God's Word, during their time together. There was never to be confusion, but peace. "Let all things be done decently and in order." (v.40) Even now when we have the written Word of God, this statement by Paul still applies.     I am one who believes strongly in a planned worship service, and Bible study. I believe the Holy Spirit is pleased when we put effort into planning our spiritual activities around a theme from the Word of God. In this setting one goes away, with a total message of encouragement and inspiration. Our God is not a God of chaos, but a God of order.
Why as His creation, should we be any different? GP
 Photo by Stuart Miles. Published on 10 October 2013 www.freedigitalphotos.net

He Knows Who You Are

"The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, you have well said, "I have no husband, 'for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband, in that you spoke truly." (John 4:17-18) Our lives are an open book to the Lord. He knows us better than we know ourselves. So why is it, that we think we know what is best for us, in our lives. The Samaritan woman was definitely trying to find happiness and satisfaction in her life. Nothing in the world was going to satisfy her. But Jesus who offered her "living water" could, and did. (John 4:14)
I am like a bucket that leaks. I need to come to the well and meet Jesus there, and take in what He has for me. I am in constant need of spiritual refreshment and replenishment. Without that spiritual well, where would we be. The "living water" contains all the blessings that God wants us to have. Eternal life, and eternal help, is apart of this blessing. Yes, Jesus knows who you are, and He knows what you are needing today. The question is, will we meet Him at the well, and submit our whole lives to His care? GP Photo http://clipart.christiansunite.com/

Overcoming The Overwhelming

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6)

Can life become overwhelming? Indeed it can. You look around, and there is so much correction that needs to be done in your life.

There are people and circumstances that are turning your life into a train wreck. How can we deal with life, when it is so overwhelming, and discouraging?

The Apostle Paul gives us some very good advice in our text. To begin with, don't enter a panic mode; "Be anxious for nothing", and why? because, your life is in the Lord's hands. So let Him have you. Let Him have your problems, and your despair.

We are to pray, and bring our requests to God. We are to let Him know what we are dealing with. Even though He already knows, it is good for us to ask for help, and to express our trust, that God will help us through this difficult time.

And in our prayers, we are to be thankful. Whatever God has placed in our lives, He has placed it there, to help us be a better person in His sight. We do want to be stronger, and that is what God wants too.
We need to be thankful for His workings in our lives, and His providence to bring us to where He wants us to be.

Even though life can be overwhelming, with God's help, we can overcome. GP

Photo by Stuart Miles. Published on 12 March 2014
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Strengthen The Inner Man

“That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.” (Ephesians 3:16) The “Inner man” that the Apostle Paul speaks of is the seat of spiritual influence. It is there that faith and humility, love, patience, and other graces, find their home and productivity. But the only way that the “inner man” is strengthened is by the work of, and our submission to, the Holy Spirit.
It is the Apostle Paul’s prayer that the Christians at Ephesus (and us) are strengthened and understand full well the extent of the love of Christ. It is one thing to know about Jesus Christ.There are volumes of books and articles written about Him. But to really know Him, and the extent of His love for us, is in our connecting with the Holy Spirit. In this connection we study the Gospels, and are involved in consistent prayer. Through these two gates, the Holy Spirit leads us to a deep and wonderful relationship with the Lord. It is through our faith and submission that connects us to our spiritual Helper (John 16:7) I am so weak so much of the time in my “inner man”. And the reason is because I have not kept my connection strong to the one who is responsible (on His part) for my spiritual maintenance. We must remember as Christians, that for us to be strong Christians, we must heed the Apostle Paul’s advice. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) GP Photo by Stuart Miles. Published on 13 September 2014 www.freedigitalphotos.net

Who Do You Think You Are?

"Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud." (Proverbs 16:19) Have you ever had someone ask you this question: "Who do you think you are?" Maybe, jokingly, you were trying to imitate a celebrity, someone who is very popular in television, movies, sports, etc. that motivated this question. But seriously, Solomon tells us, that the best person to be, is one "of a humble spirit". To be like Jesus, who was the extreme example of humility, is what we should strive to be. It's hard to be around a proud, pompous, egotistical person. It seems that everything is about them. They feel as if they are indispensable. The world could not do without them. No doubt we are all important, but no one is more important than anyone else. In God's eyes we are all important to Him. No one is of  greater value to Him than another. The spoil of the proud of this world, may be a reward of riches, power, and position, but the dividing of it, is drenched with selfishness and greed. It is a competition for selfish gain, which leaves a terrible path of destruction. But the humble person, looks after the needs of others, and gains a peace, and a fulfillment, that the proud will never acquire. "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3) GP
Photo by stockimages. Published on 16 September 2013 www.freedigitalphotos.net