THANKS, For Everything!
Hi Faith Family,
Know any "Debbie Downers?" You know, the people that find the worst in everything, complain, talk about what they don't have, what bad things have happend, down side of politics and world events--you know, people who make you feel drained when you finally get to walk away? Yeah, I know some, too. Kind of tough to listen to, aren't they? Perhaps especially when you recognize the voice as your own.
I was looking closely at Ephesians 4:19-20 today:
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Aren't we embarrassed by the times we have not done what God directs in the above passages? Our thanklessness isn't just something that causes our cheeks to blush--it reveals the sinfulness with which we were born and with which we will struggle until our cheeks have no color any longer. Our sinfulness left us with no hope.
But God promised the Savior and everything changed. With Jesus, there is always hope, and refreshed spirits. When challenge, sadness, or difficulty tempt us to doubt, give up, or chuck it all, God helps us. Not only does God get us through it, but with a smile on our face. Making music in our hearts to the Lord, as the above passage says.
But the next verse is the clincher. Always. Woof. In counseling class, they teach us to help people to avoid terms like "always" and "never." For example, if I am counseling a married couple where the wife says, "he never takes out the garbage" while the husband laments, "she's always nagging me!" Typically, the terms "always" and "never" are not only false, but they are certainly not helpful. In the passage above, however, the term is specifically and correctly in place. I mention it for the fact that it makes an impact in your life, dear sister, dear brother in the faith.
It means giving thanks . . . always. It means giving thanks . . . for everything. Yes, everything. Oh, sure we are all talk in our prayers when we get that job, score well on that test, get a check in the mail, or get to marry the most wonderful person in the world. But our thanksgiving prayers tend to dry up right about the time when challenge, sadness, or difficulty arise. Can you; will you give thanks in the following circumstances:
Minor surgery?
job loss?
Fire wrecks your church?
Illness?
Major surgery?
Loss of financial stability?
Funeral?
Torn ACL?
Broken Relationship?
You may have a personal challenge you are dealing with right now. I encourage you to pray about it right now. Ask for God's strength, help, and for God to help you make sense of it. Ask for understanding and patience, help and direction. God will help you to give thanks . . . always . . . for everything.
New Location: Peace In Jesus has a new location: 5383 Franklin Road in Boise. We are just down the road from our previous location. It is the southeast corner of Franklin and Phillippi, across from Fred Meyer.
This Sunday, at Peace In Jesus, we will talk much more about going through challenges. You are welcome to join us at our new location: 5383 Franklin Rd., corner of Philllippi and Franklin. Regular schedule: English Worship 9:30 a.m., Vietnamese Worship 10:30 a.m. Peace!
Prayer idea: Pray to the Lord about a challenge, sadness, difficulty or disaster you are facing right now. Ask God to help you through it, show you the good he is working in your life through it, and even put a smile on your face.
Have a great week!
--Pastor Dan