In my part of the world, the darkness of the days is getting longer. If I was looking for my hope in daylight, I would be sorely disappointed. In fact, looking to anything else other than Jesus for my hope will be unfulfilling. There are difficult and dark days, but knowing that God is the giver of all good gifts gives me the hope and assurance that He cares for me.
And He cares for you, too!
Goodness is always found in what God is doing in our lives. His goodness is sure, even as there are struggles and incredibly painful days. Sometimes His goodness is found in the simplest gift or thoughtful deed. It might come from an unexpected place.
This world has its challenges, but being on the lookout for goodness, particularly God’s goodness, is an essential part of my every day!
Sometimes, I need to step away from a situation to see it with fresh eyes. A “refresh” if you will. I often refresh my newsfeed or my email – and it gives me something new to see or focus on. How much more important is it to “refresh” how I look at things, particularly from God’s perspective.
“Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.”
What is something you love when it is fresh?
Encouragement is something I have to be intentional about seeking. I have to place the Scripture or words of God around me. Sometimes, when I receive written words of encouragement from a friend, I keep it handy. As a visual person, it is important to see words of encouragement to keep it in my mind.
What Scripture verse speaks encouragement to you?
Is this a noun or a verb? Of course, it is both. What are you devoted to? It might be a daily activity, it might be a routine, it might be an unhealthy habit.
What has your devotion? And has that devotion come at a cost?
Creation is all around us! I simply cannot look at some of the amazing animals or the body’s systems or the Earth’s position in the Universe without acknowledging a Creator.
I look at the things people have created and designed through the years and it is also a reminder. God has designed us with amazing creative abilities. Our opportunities to express creativity are endless! What is your favorite thing to create? Do you have a creation you are particularly proud of?
Blessings come in all shapes and sizes. They also come disguised. Have you found something to be a blessing that you originally resented?
It is always important to recognize and name our blessings, even if it is only for God’s benefit. Of course, when we take that action, it benefits us and our perspective.
Ponder the blessings.
1 Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,
shine forth 2 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Awaken your might;
come and save us.
3 Restore us, O God;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.
4 How long, Lord God Almighty,
will your anger smolder
against the prayers of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
6 You have made us an object of derision[b] to our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.
7 Restore us, God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved. [Psalm 80:1-7, NIV]
Relationships are about give and take. Some relationships are imbalanced all the time. Some relationships are imbalanced most of the time. And some relationships have an imbalance that switches back and forth between the people within the relationship. All of these things are a part of regular human relationships.
Our relationship with God is so different! From start to finish, He takes care of it all! He is sure to hear and restore and save us. But, God also feels. He gives and gives some more, even though He has given it all already. We have the relationship before us.
We have the gift of faith.
He loves and we can respond. Ultimately, He has provided the opportunity for choice to His creation. We can reject. We can turn away. But He holds tight.
He hears.
He restores.
He saves.
I trust God and His Word.
Blessings on your week!”
Liz
Advent is a coming into place, view, or being. And for 2020, Advent begins. This is a time of preparation and a time of reflection. We are coming into a new church year, a new liturgical calendar. I think God can work through those things but I also believe God works in ways that aren’t as structured or rhythmic. I am always thankful for a formal time of prayer and reflection, but even more thankful that God meets me where I am and in the midst of my moment. He never fails.
Last year, at this time, I was in Hungary, and what a treat to be there during the beginning of Advent. I have not been in a place where Advent is celebrated in a community. We drove many places that had huge Advent wreaths in the center of town. I loved it!
Are you entering a new phase or season? Be attentive to how God walks with you.
1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
3 For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care. [Psalm 95:1-2]
This has been such a year.
Wowser!
I had many intentions. I switched gears. I punted. I did new things. I endured disappointments and loss. I adjusted and re-adjusted to the adjustments about fifty times.
And I am thankful, I am. But I am the kind of personality that tends to seek the positive in a situation. And I trust God to do what He promises.
Before life got crazy, I started a “Thankful Jar”. For some reason, around April, it was tucked and somehow it has remained in its place. I need to bring it back out and remember again to verbalize my thankfulness on paper. That heart to brain to hand to paper to eye connection is pretty powerful!
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18.
Giving thanks means I am recognizing that God knows what He is doing, even when the road is very difficult. And it will surely be difficult for all of us in one way or another. But there is always opportunity for thankfulness.
Luther’s Morning Prayer
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Blessings on your week!
Liz
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