Thanksgiving

Just Enough!

/ Being Woven / 7 Comments

But when they measured it with an omer*, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat. Exodus 16:18

Ever so peacefully, this verse tells me that God gives me just what I need…no more…no less.

Just enough!!

My dependence should be upon the God of the Universe for He is my provider. For all my needs, I need only to look to the Resource of all and He is God. I need not try in any strength of myself except that which is necessary. I need to turn to God.

…had nothing left over…had no lack! Just enough!

And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” Genesis 22:13-14

So Abraham called the name of that place, “Jehovah-Jirah;” as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” Jehovah-Jirah, The LORD will provide, God my Provider, Jireh, to see, foresee the needs, to provide for those needs.

יְהֹוָה

Yᵊhōvâ

Jehovah = “the existing One”

רָאָה

rā’â

to look upon, cause to see, to provide, to furnish

…had nothing left over…had no lack! Just enough!

The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and He exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust;
He lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s,
and on them He has set the world. 1 Samuel 2:7-8

Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 1 Chronicles 29:12

For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” 2 Corinthians 8:13-15

And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

…had nothing left over…had no lack! Just enough!

NO! HE IS …

Oh, God, may I be utterly dependent upon You for all my all, that I have no lack nor no need! All my physical needs, my steps and turns that I take in my walk with You will be in You. You are the Jehovah-Jireh, the LORD the Provider….my Provider. May I bow before you as one who needs You in all ways, for all things including my peace. May the abundance of You, LORD, be displayed in my life because I count on Your provision, Your love, Your guidance. May those doubts and fears that creep over me in these days be nothing that You cannot carry. May my burdens be light because You do not grow weary. And may I allow You to hold me when I so need to be close to You for You are MORE THAN ENOUGH! May this be so in the Name of Christ, my Lord. Amen.

*an omer: a dry measure of 1/10 ephah (about 2 litres). an ancient Hebrew dry measure, the tenth part of an ephah. *The ephah equaled three-fifths of a bushel or in metric measure, twenty-two liters. The omer was two quarts or about two liters.

Graphic: Jehovah Jireh @ Family Radio

Pillars @ Howard Carter – How in the World!

Just Enough! graphics by me at Pixlr Editor

Thankful, Thankful, I Adore Thee

/ Being Woven / 7 Comments

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!” Psalm 50:23

תּוֹדָה

tôwdâh

to-daw’

properly, an extension of the hand, i.e. (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration; specifically, a choir of worshippers:—confession, (sacrifice of) praise, thanks(-giving, offering).

The Hebrew word “thanksgiving” in the ESV, as above, can be translated in a number of ways. See a few other versions of Psalm 50:23:

Whoever offers praise glorifies Me;
And to him who orders his conduct aright
I will show the salvation of God.” NKJV

“Whoever sacrifices a thank offering honors Me, and whoever orders his conduct I will show him the salvation of God.” CSB

He who is sacrificing praise honoureth Me, As to him who maketh a way, I cause him to look on the salvation of God! YLT

Matthew Henry comments on this one verse in his “Commentary on Psalm 50:”

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; we have it, verse 23, which directs us what to do that we may attain our chief end. 

  • 1. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and we are here told that whoso offers praise glorifies him; whether he be Jew or Gentile, those spiritual sacrifices shall be accepted from him. We must praise God, and we must sacrifice praise, direct it to God, as every sacrifice was directed; put it into the hands of the priest, our Lord Jesus, who is also the altar; see that it be made by fire, sacred fire, that it be kindled with the flame of holy and devout affection; we must be fervent in spirit, praising the Lord. This he is pleased, in infinite condescension, to interpret as glorifying him. Hereby we give him the glory due to his name and do what we can to advance the interests of his kingdom among men.
  • 2. Man’s chief end, in conjunction with this, is to enjoy God; and we are here told that those who order their conversation aright shall see his salvation.
    • (1.) It is not enough for us to offer praise, but we must withal order our conversation aright. Thanksgiving is good, but thanks-living is better.
    • (2.) Those that would have their conversation right must take care and pains to order it, to dispose it according to rule, to understand their way and to direct it.
  • (3.) Those that take care of their conversation make sure their salvation; them God will make to see his salvation, for it is a salvation ready to be revealed; he will make them to see it and enjoy it, to see it, and to see themselves happy for ever in it. Note, The right ordering of the conversation is the only way, and it is a sure way, to obtain the great salvation.

You created us, Father, to glorify You, to show the world the One to Whom we lift our hands in praise for Who You are, for all You have created, for all You do in this world, and for all that You do for me, for all that You are to me. You have given me life through Your Son, Jesus Christ. You have given me purpose by creating me in Your image. You have given me peace, knowing I can rest in You. I can rest because I have come to know that You are my God. You, Lord, have saved me from my sinful ways. You guide my steps. You guard my ways. You forgive me. You love me. I want to order my ways to praise You. I desire to watch my words coming from my mouth, that each and all would magnify You. I want to glorify You, Lord, in all I am and all I do. In You Alone. I pray in the Precious Name of Jesus. Amen.

Psalm 50:23 photo with graphics: @ Pinterest

Psalm 50:23 photo with graphics @ Crystal Storm

Psalm 50:23 photo with graphics @ Pinterest

Psalm 50:23 photo with graphics @ Pinterest

Constancy of God

/ Being Woven / 18 Comments

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 And He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”  Luke 10:27

Jesus has called us to love…love God with our all…love all with our all.

Yet, we doubt and hem-and-haw in thinking we are just unable to do these.  Yes, we are unable, in our own strength.  We love God when we feel like it, when we think we are able, or when all is going well.  We love our neighbors when we like them, when they are good to us, or when we feel like it.

Yet, these are two  commandments that we have been given.  How can we love unconditionally?  How can we wholly love God and our neighbors?

In this season of Thanksgiving, I, as well as other bloggers, are sharing about gratitude, being thankful for family and friends, gifts and love.  We may list the beauty we see, words we hear, or smiles that rain joy upon us.  We seek to recognize these gifts in our own strength so much of the time: Let’s see…what am I grateful for right today?  What did I see that I am thankful for?

Is giving thanks something done alone through my efforts?  Can I be thankful without condition?  Do I expect something in return for my gratitude?

 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  James 1:17

As children of the Father, we are being given gifts of His choosing.  He wants us to have His pleasures so that we will take them to another, whether by service, by inspiration, by love.  He is not telling us to go out and give on some conditional basis of our choosing, but, with His gifts, go to those to whom He chooses to gift with that which we have been given.  This giving is unconditionally loving.

Dependence upon the One Who is Love, obedience to the One Who calls us to love Him and others…this is how we are able to love unconditionally.  I am only the variable in the equation.  God is the constant.  Love is the constant.

God x God(x) = Love

constant x constant(variable/me) = constant

We love because He first loved us.  If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God Whom he has not seen.  And this commandment we have from Him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.  1 John 4:19-21

Loving God unconditionally is showing gratitude.  Loving our neighbors unconditionally is showing gratitude.

These past many, many months have been extremely difficult months to bear.  We are the children of the Father of lights.  Let us now turn on our lights, gifts from our Father, and shine in this world so filled with hatred and darkness.  Let us take the lights and shine them into our neighbors’ lives and be thankful.  In being a light, I am honoring my Father.  I am so grateful to Him.  He created me, making me a light in this world.

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.”  Luke 11:33

Let us give and serve and be thankful.

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.  Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.  As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.  1 Peter 4:8-11

Let us be not afraid to step into the world.  God is with us always.

love-god-and-people

Father God, Your love glows inside of me.  I want it to glow outside of me and rid these corners where I walk of darkness.  Strengthen me physically and spiritually so that I may do that which You have called me.  Guide me in the way that I should go.  May I remain faithful and grateful to You.  My desire is to be pleasing unto You.  May my mind know Your Truth.  May my body find peace in You.  May my heart always seek Your face.  And may my strength be built upon Yours.  May I know the constancy of You, Father, for You are my Constant.  I pray in the Name of Jesus, the Christ.  Amen.

BW sig dark blue

Top Photo used with permission from:  http://www.gloriadei-sd.org/

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church

With Shouts of Joy

/ Being Woven / 26 Comments

psalm-65-8-barley-field-1684052

You visit the earth and water it;

You greatly enrich it;

the river of God is full of water;

You provide their grain,

for so You have prepared it.

You water its furrows abundantly,

settling its ridges,

softening it with showers,

and blessing its growth.

Psalm 65:9-10

God sends His rain to the earth…this place we call home now.  Earth.  He sends rain by His will, by the ways He so pleases.  We may experience drought or flooding for these are part of living on this earth.

Our spiritual lives sometimes suffer drought or flooding as well.  Too much input, busyness can leave us with little room for God.  Too little time spent with God can cause thirst for Him.  Sometimes we do not even know what we are thirsty for, yet we know that we are.  “Our hearts are dry and barren unless God Himself be as the dew to us and water us; and the plants of His own planting He will water and make them to increase.”  Matthew Henry

I recall searching hard and long for something that I was missing, yet I did not know what that was.  Years later, through many trials, through many seasons of drought and floods, I found Jesus.  Jesus was Who I needed.  I needed to know Him personally.  He would give me Living Water and I would no longer be thirsty.  The fruit of the Spirit could grow in me and then be harvested from me, from my field of new plantings.  This field becomes rich in nutrients and water from the One Who is the Living Waters.  I grow and pray I will continue to grow.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.  James 1:17

“…; we must lift up our eyes above the hills, lift them up to the heavens, where the original springs of all blessings are, out of sight, and thither must our praises return, as the first-fruits of the earth were in the heave-offerings lifted up towards heaven by way of acknowledgment that thence they were derived.  All God’s blessings, even spiritual ones, are expressed by His raining righteousness upon us.”  Matthew Henry

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You crown the year with Your bounty;

Your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.

The pastures of the wilderness overflow,

the hills gird themselves with joy,

the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,

the valleys deck themselves with grain,

they shout and sing together for joy.

Psalm 65:11-13

Everything in His world rejoices over the bounty of His harvest…the pastures, the hills, the meadows, the valleys.  There is abundance in all He is and does.  He rains down upon this earth.  He sends His Love to us in His Son.  He grants mercy upon these souls and bodies from on high.  He whispers grace through His wind, through His Holy Spirit.

He crowns all He is and does, encompassing on every side, as a crown surrounds a head; as when something is completed, it is crowned.  The fruitfulness of His world is in His hands, in His power. 

How grateful I am, LORD.  May You adorn Your world with the riches of harvest, both in fruit of the tree and the fruit of salvation.  I shout my praises and honor to You, oh God.  I am so very heartbroken in the broken and breaking shape of this world, of this nation.  I know this is Your world and You know each and every one of Your creations.  I may feel saddened by so much right now, yet I truly can rejoice in the love, the tender care, the peace, the hope I find in You.  I look up to where my bounty and blessings come from.  Hallelujah!

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?

My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

Let all these common gifts of the divine bounty, which we yearly and daily partake of, increase our love to God as the best of beings, and engage us to glorify Him with our bodies, which He thus provides so well for.  Matthew Henry

Father, I am humbled by the beauty of Your Word, by the bounty of Your fields, by the benevolence of Your mercy, by the balance in all that surrounds.  Father, in this season of giving thanks, I am reminded that offering my thanks daily is my desire and hope.  I lift up my hands in praise to You, the Giver of my soul.  You are my All, LORD.  I love You and sing with joy as I ponder the sun rising, beginning each day anew, or watch the sun set, leaving the brilliance of pinks and oranges across the sky.  You are Magnificent, Father.  I see You all around me.  Praising You and praying in the Name of the Bright Morning Star.  Amen. 

bwdarkgreen sig

 

Photo:  kangbch  —  https://pixabay.com/en/barley-field-sunrise-morning-solar-1684052/

Photo:  Hans — https://pixabay.com/en/wheat-spike-wheat-field-cereals-8762/