Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 29
January 28, 2019
6 Ways God Uses Trials in a Christian’s Life
Does God care about the trials you endure in this life? Absolutely! God sees every detail of your life. He knows your every need and He cares deeply about each one.
However, as much as He cares about your physical needs and condition, He cares even more about your spiritual condition. His first desire and primary purpose is to transform His children into the image of Christ. (See Romans 8:29.) The spiritual and eternal take priority over the physical and temporary. But how does God do the work?
Trials “Work” Our Faith
Let’s consider a physical analogy. If we want to strengthen our muscles we must add “stress.” When we lift a heavier load than our muscles have lifted before, a physical process begins to adapt the needed muscles to the new load. Without stress, our muscles are content with their current size and strength. Add stress, and our muscles begin to change to meet the need.
Our spiritual strength and character are similar. The difficulties of life “stress” our faith. Trials give our faith a work out like heavy loads work our muscles. As we faithfully endure, we grow spiritually stronger. Without difficulty, our faith tends to stagnate. Do you want stronger faith? You need stress.
#Trials are a #SpiritualWorkout for a Christian’s #faith
Click To Tweet
Trials work our faith. Like using our muscles to carry heavier loads make them stronger, the trials of life give our faith a workout. God will use them to grow and develop our faith so we will be spiritually mature, not lacking anything!
God never wastes a #trial He allows into a #Christian’s life
Click To Tweet
Our gracious God never wastes a trial He permits to enter our lives. If we will cooperate, He will use every difficulty, heartache, and hardship for our good and His glory.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4, NIV
6 Ways God Uses Trials in Our Lives
God uses them to break our independence and foster our dependence on Him (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).
God uses them to purify our faith and develop our moral character (Romans 5:3-5).
God uses them to test, prove, and strengthen our faith in Him (1 Peter 1:6-7).
God uses them to prepare us for His purposes (Romans 8:28-29).
God works through them to prove Himself powerful and reliable (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).
God uses them to prove our faith works (2 Corinthians 4:7-10).
God is not finished with you yet. And He is definitely not finished with me. I know more difficulties lie ahead. Honestly, I wish God had chosen to work another way. But I will choose to trust His infinite wisdom and submit to His refining process. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to waste any trial or difficulty!
In what ways has God used trials and difficulties in your life to refine your faith and character? To make you more like Jesus!?
Other posts you may like:
Is God Still Good in Loss?
3 Reasons for Joy in Trails
3 Spiritual Benefits of Need
6 Ways God Uses Trials in a Christian’s Life by Kathy Howard.
January 21, 2019
Do You Have a Plan?
You’ve heard that old saying: “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.” This practical principle is true in every area of life – including our spiritual discipleship. If we want to be in God’s Word consistently, then we need a plan. A plan for reading your Bible.
You may have tried it without a Bible reading plan. Perhaps you settled in to spend time with God, but you aren’t sure where to read. Maybe just opened your Bible and started reading wherever it fell open. Or maybe because you didn’t know where to go, you went to a familiar passage you’ve read a hundred times. Or maybe you felt overwhelmed and ill-equipped so you simply closed your Bible.
BUT… if you have a plan, you will always be prepared when you sit down with God and His Word.
A few benefits of having a Bible Reading Plan
More Consistency – It’s easier to begin reading if you know where you’ll be reading.
Better understanding – Reading God’s Word in context promotes a more accurate understanding of His original intent.
Increased knowledge – Through planning, you can include books of the Bible you are not familiar with! The more we know of God’s Word, the more we will know of God!
Excitement – When I know what I’ll be reading today, and tomorrow, and the next day, I am excited to get there! That excitement fosters persistence and success!
A few words of caution & a bit of advice
Plan for success – Choose a plan that will challenge you but not overwhelm. For instance, if you have struggled to read your Bible consistently, don’t start with a “Read the Bible through in a year plan.” Choose a plan that is just a step beyond where you are now. If you are getting into God’s Word about 3 times a week, look for a plan that has 5 days of readings each week.
Give yourself grace – Shoot for consistency, but know there will be days where you just don’t get to it. And that’s okay!
Don’t give up – If you get far behind in your plan, it’s really tempting to just throw in the towel. Instead of giving up, start fresh. Start a new plan or begin reading a different Bible book. If you are reading with a group, just jump back in where they are!
A few Bible Reading Plan Suggestions
There is a plethora (Yes, I was looking for an excuse to use that word today. Love it!) of plans available to us today! Here are some options:
Bible apps – For instance, the “You Version” app has plans built into the app that help keep you on track.
Online plans – Websites like BibleGateway have oodles of plans available. You can read them online or have the readings sent to your inbox!
Your Bible – Some Bibles have plans in the back. For instance, this “NIV One Year Bible” divides God’s Word into 365 readings to take you through the whole Bible in a year.
Make you own plan – Choose a book or books of the Bible. Reading full books are the best way to really grasp the meaning. Determine how much you can read each day and mark the readings on a calendar. You can completely personalize this! You can determine how many days a week you can read and what length each reading will be.
Other Organized Plans – These can be year-long plans or shorter-term plans organized around a theme. For instance, Advent Reading plans for Christmas time. This is what I usually do. I have even developed several plans that are available for free on my website! Go to my “Free Resources” page to check them out.
Feel like you need some encouragement and accountability to stay in God’s Word? Invite a friend or two to join you! You can use the same plan and meet periodically to discuss what you’ve been reading. There are also online groups to offer help and encouragement. I host one on Facebook. In fact, you are welcome to join us at “Reading the Bible Together.”
What has been your biggest hindrance to staying in God’s Word regularly?
A few other posts you may find helpful:
Free Bible Reading Plan for 2019
Quiet Time Tips
8 Tips to Help Make Quiet Time a Reality – especially for moms of young children
January 14, 2019
Gratitude is Essential to Peace
We live in a culture that breeds anxiety. Rampant self-centeredness, materialism, and entitlement all contribute, ramping up our worry and discontent. Any sense of peace seems to be momentary and fleeting. Hanging on to peace is like trying to catch rain with a colander.
God knew we would struggle with anxiety and worry. It is the default setting for our sinful nature. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Not even when our lives are filled with trials and struggles. The God of peace not only offers us peace, He tells us how to experience it.
First and foremost we must enter into a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ. As long as our sin separates us from God, we can never have true peace. But, praise God, Jesus has broken down the “dividing wall of hostility” through His death on the cross, making eternal peace with God possible (Ephesians 2:13-16).
Yet even Christians still struggle to experience peace in our daily lives. We allow the worries of this world to rob us of the peace that is ours. In Paul’s letter to the believers in Philippi, he addresses this problem with practical advice for turning away from anxiety and embracing God’s peace. (See “4 Steps to Embrace God’s Peace” for a breakdown of Philippians 4:4-13.)
Benefits of Gratitude
In addition to prayer, a disciplined thought life, and reliance on God’s strength, Paul highlights gratitude:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Recently, in preparation for a teaching event, I did a little research on gratitude and its effects. There have been lots of secular studies done on the impact of purposeful gratitude. Every study I saw cited positive effects on mental health, emotional well-being, and physical health.
Here’s a quick rundown of the benefits of gratitude cited by these studies:
Mental – reduces depression, stress and anxiety, and helps overcome trauma
Emotional – breaks hold of toxic emotions, improves relationships, reduces materialism and self-centeredness
Physical benefits of gratitude – promotes better sleep, decreased pain, increases energy, and activates the area of the brain that controls appetite, sleep, and metabolism
Although none of these studies mentioned God or how thankfulness affects our spiritual well-being, they still confirm what God’s Word teaches:
God created humans to flourish under an attitude of gratitude.
In addition to the mental, emotional, and physical benefits of gratitude, purposeful thanksgiving also has profound spiritual effects:
Takes our focus off our struggles
Fosters awareness of God’s provision and activity around us
Build reliance on God’s future provision
Ushers in God’s incomprehensible peace
A Few Practical Tips to Foster Gratitude
Paul also wrote that our lives should “overflow with thanksgiving” for all God has done (Colossians 2:7). This phrase implies we should have a constant attitude of gratitude that expresses itself in thanksgiving as we go about our day. While this is easier said than done, there are some things we can do to begin to form a habit of gratitude:
Don’t give up – Studies show it takes a minimum of 4 weeks of purposefully and persistently practicing gratitude before it produces real benefits. This awareness can keep us moving forward!
Gratitude is self-producing – Studies show that the more we express, the more we will feel. So, give gratitude a fair chance. Eventually the attitude will multiply!
Journal it – These studies encouraged participants to keep a gratitude journal. Writing our thanksgivings not only requires us to be intentional and purposeful, but it also creates a record we can review on the days when we are struggling to find something to thank God for.
Let’s try a little gratitude right now! In the comments below, voice a thanksgiving to God!
January 7, 2019
The 5 Ps of the Lord’s Prayer
Do you struggle with prayer? Many of us do. Even Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1). Jesus’ response, found in both Luke and Matthew, is commonly referred to as the Lord’s Prayer. But some biblical scholars suggest it would be more accurately titled “The Disciples’ Prayer.” This prayer was Jesus’ example for us, His disciples.
A Few General Guidelines
Jesus began His prayer lesson with a few comments that help us know how to use and apply His teaching:
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Matthew 6:5-8, ESV
Pray with humility and sincerity(Matthew 6:5) – Sometimes when we pray, our sinful flesh gets in the way. Sometimes, we hope others will hear and think how spiritually mature we are. But, the purpose of prayer is to communicate with our all-powerful, holy Creator. Dwell on that a moment… This fact alone should humble us before His throne.
Pray alone with God(Matthew 6:6) – Prayer is a very personal, intimate exchange between a believer and God. That doesn’t mean we should not pray with others. The New Testament also sets the example for prayer together with other believers. However, each of us should have a healthy habit of being alone with God in prayer. Without any distractions. So, we can go anywhere and everywhere in prayer that the Spirit leads us.
Pray purposefully and specifically(Matthew 6:7) – Reciting memorized prayers or even repeated phrases is not necessarily sinful, it’s just inadequate. Even though there are instances where reciting a prayer like the Lord’s Prayer is appropriate, biblical scholars don’t believe that was Jesus’ intention when He gave us this example. This example was merely a framework for the way we should pray, for the kinds of things we should pray about.
Pray to connect with God(Matthew 6:8) – Jesus said the “Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Why then should we pray? Prayer certainly isn’t to inform God about our needs. Or even what’s on our minds. He knows all that. Prayer is the holy privilege of connecting with the God of the universe. To hear from Him. To open our heart so He can shape it to match His.
The 5 P’s of the Disciples’ Prayer (aka, the Lord’s Prayer)
You won’t find these five words that all start with “P” in the Lord’s prayer. But each “P” word does represent a particular type or kind of prayer found in Jesus’ example. The “Ps” is simply an easy to remember the scope our prayers should cover overall.
9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6:9-13, ESV
Praise (vs 9) – Jesus starts His prayer example by giving the Father honor and glory. Although God deserves all our worship, we sometimes forget and jump right into asking Him to do things for us.
Purposes (vs 10) – Jesus prayed that the Father’s perfect will – already accomplished in heaven – would be fully realized on earth. Let’s follow Jesus’ example and ask God to carry out His will in our heart and lives, in our families, churches, and communities, and in the world.
Provision (vs 11) – The “bread” Jesus asked for in His prayer example represents our daily needs. God invites us to bring our needs to Him, so let’s ask boldly! (For more about asking God to meet your needs, see “Prayer: More Than a Way to Get Stuff from God” by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.)
Penitence (vs 12) – Yes, I had to search a thesaurus for a “P” word that means “repent!” Jesus did not need to ask the Father for forgiveness, but He included repentance in His example for us. We are the ones that continuously need to bring our sin, disobedience, and bad attitudes to God and ask for a heart change.
Protection (vs 13) – Jesus specifically modeled the need for us to ask the Father for spiritual protection. He knew we would be surrounded by temptation. So, let’s ask God for help!
We may not cover these 5 areas every time we pray. For instance, there will be days when a situation overwhelms us and we concentrate on our needs. But keeping these 5 “Ps” in mind can help foster an overall, well-rounded prayer life.
There are other tools to help us in prayer. What do you use?
Other posts you might like:
5 “Probing” Questions to Help You Meditate on Scripture
December 29, 2018
Free Bible Reading Plan for 2019
A new year is always a great time to make a fresh commitment to get into God’s Word and grow in our faith. But without a plan, even the best intentions will soon fall by the wayside. That’s why I developed a new Bible reading plan for 2019 – for me and for you!
Details about the Bible Reading Plan for 2019
Honestly, there is no “one-size-fits-all” Bible reading plans. For instance, if you have been reading the Bible with consistency in the past, you’ll want to start with just a few minutes a day. But if you’ve been reading your Bible almost daily for years, you may be ready to read the Bible through in a year! So this new Bible Reading Plan for 2019 may not be the best plan for you. However, I have developed this plan in a way to create as much opportunity for success as possible!
Five readings per week – this gives us two days per week to catch up if we miss a day. We all have days where we simply can’t get it done. And if you have a fabulous week and don’t miss a day, you can use the extra two days to read in the Psalms or Proverbs!
Book by book – Many of my past plans have been more topical in nature. But with this one, we read through an entire Bible book before we move on, alternating between the New Testament and the Old Testament. Reading whole books will also gives us a better overall understanding of these books. By the end of 2019, we will have read 19 Bible books. This layout also gives us an opportunity to jump back in when a new book begins if we’ve fallen way behind.
Increase our knowledge of God’s Word – I’ve included some of the “less read” Bible books in the plan – like a few minor prophets! But don’t be apprehensive, every bit of God’s Word is helpful for growing our faith and deepening our intimacy with God!
Opportunity for accountability – I lead a Facebook group called “Reading the Bible Together.” Each day I post the daily reading and some questions to help you get the most out of your reading. This year, I will also include some background on each new book we begin. I would love for you to join!
Get the Book by Book Bible Reading Plan PDF NOW
More about the Facebook Group Mentioned Above
The “Reading the Bible Together” Facebook group is a place of encouragement and enrichment. I post the daily readings each morning by 6am along with a few questions to help you get more from your reading. I will also be posting an intro to each book we begin and depending on the content of the daily reading, I may post a little commentary. We also encourage discussion! Some group members comment and some don’t – either is fine! Join here!
More Discipleship Resources You May Find Helpful
There are lots of free tools and resources on this website to encourage you in faith journey. They include multiple Bible Reading Plans, Scripture Memory tools, prayer helps, online Bible studies, and more. Check out the Free Resources page to see them all. But you may find the following particularly helpful this time of year:
5 Tips for Setting Spiritual Growth Goals
11 Tips for Spending Quality Time with God
Bible Highlighting for More Effective Bible Study
5 Probing Questions to Help You Get the Most out of Your Bible Reading
Reading the Bible Together Facebook Group
How do you plan to be purposeful in your spiritual growth in the New Year?
December 23, 2018
My Christmas Card to You
I’ve ALWAYS sent a Christmas card. In the 35 years we’ve been married I think I’ve missed two years. I love getting them and I love sending them. But it didn’t happen this year… more on that below. So, rather than letting Christmas pass without sending my greetings, I decided to break tradition and send this digital version.
A Few Reasons I Skipped the Paper Card
I fully intended on sending cards in the mail this year, but life intervened as it often does. First, my father passed away in September. (See the post “Dad has Finished the Race.”) Although he suffered from Parkinson’s, his death was sudden. Then my mother – who is in the latter stages of Alzheimer’s – rapidly declined. She is now getting more intensive care at a memory care facility. All this meant several long road trips from Texas to Tennessee this fall to help my brother with family matters.
But the most superficial reason I’m not sending a printed card this year is that we failed to get a family photo that made everyone happy. We tried. We really did. When we were all together for Thanksgiving a family friend took quite a few for us. But the wind was a problem. And the sun. And the toddlers. And Wayne couldn’t leave the frying turkey unmanned. (Both the top photo and the one below were “not acceptable.” Go figure.)
A Quick Recap of Our Year
Yes, the traditional Christmas card/letter gives the reader all the family highlights. So here goes:
Wayne suffered a ruptured bicep in a freak collision with a big dog in February and had to have surgery to reattach the tendon. That meant Kathy got to learn how to use the zero-turn riding mower to keep our 2 acres under control.
Our oldest daughter and her family moved in with us in April. They stayed with us three months while they renovated their new home. We really enjoyed this special time with them! (By the way, they own Irwin Construction in Denton, Texas and do incredible work! Check out the “before & after” of their home on their blog.)
In May, Wayne and Kathy spent a few days with old friends at their farm in Oklahoma. We fished, played games, and fed the cows!
The end of May and early June, we headed to the Canadian Maritimes. First, Kathy led a couple of workshops at the Canadian National Baptist Convention. Then we explored PEI and Newfoundland with dear friends. We also ate lots of mussels and cod (pronounced “caaahhd”).
Kathy’s 8th book was released in May. “30 Days of Hope When Caring for Aging Parents” is a devotional book designed to give spiritual encouragement to those caring for aging or ill parents.
We hit the road again in July to spend time in Wyoming. We made the drive with dear, longtime friends to have a reunion with friends from the time we lived in Casper. We spent 3 days at a Wyoming ranch where we hiked, mended fencing, and learned to rope! Well, we kind of learned to rope.
Kathy spent time on the road speaking and time at her desk writing. Retired Wayne is doing his best to catch up on hunting and fishing. And yes, the arm slowed him down a little.
We’ve kept grandsons and granddogs. (Big news for 2019 – we will welcome our first granddaughter in February!) We’ve fished and taught our grandsons fish. We’ve done yard work and ignored yard work. We’ve rejoiced and we’ve grieved.
Like you, we’ve had highs and lows. But our constant is Christ. No matter the struggles and difficulties of this life – and we’ve had our share this year – Jesus is our source of hope and strength. Now and for the year ahead.
May you and your family find the joy of Christ the Christmas and the hope of Christ in 2019.
December 16, 2018
Free 8-Day Light of Christmas Devotional Guide
Christmas is just eight days away. If you’re like me, you’re probably somewhere between “not even started” and “I’m all done!” But wherever you are in that process, it’s not too late to take some time to focus on Who we celebrate. And I want to help.
MY GIFT TO YOU – A CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
I know your list is long and the days are short, so I’ve put together a mini-devotional that will quickly guide you through a short Bible reading, a truth to consider, and a prayer to voice. These eight days focus on the Light of Christmas.
Light is an integral part of Christmas. The lights on our trees, our homes, and more all remind us of the true light that came into the world (John 1:9). Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12) who offers life to all people. This dark world certainly needs the light and life of Jesus right now.
DOWNLOAD THE BOOKMARK TO PRINT
DOWNLOAD A SIMPLE PDF TO PRINT
#FreePrintable 8 day #Christmas #devotional guide “The Light of Christmas”
Click To Tweet
IDEAS FOR USING THIS DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
I’ve prepared the devotional guide in two forms. You can print either the bookmark size or the full-sheet PDF, whichever you’re more comfortable with.
Stick the guide in your Bible for easy access.
Use during your personal quiet time leading up to Christmas.
Do the devotional with a spouse or friend, or use for a family devotional time.
Record any responses and prayers in a journal or right in your Bible if there is room.
If you currently don’t have the habit of a daily time with God, use this mini-devotional to help you begin a new habit. (See “Quiet Time Tips” for help.)
I’d love to know if you plan to use this devotional and how!
Free 8-Day Light of Christmas Devotional Guide by Kathy Howard.
November 26, 2018
Let’s Focus on the Glory of Christmas, Not the Glitz
Today’s blog is adapted from Jennifer Kennedy Dean’s new book “Pursuing the Christ: Prayers for Christmastime.”
Christmas is the day we have marked on our calendars to celebrate that pivotal event upon which all human history hangs. On a certain day in time and space, the eternal Word entered into our circumstances, clothed in flesh and born of a woman. In marking time, there is before, and there is after.
All time is measured from the moment when the Word became flesh and took up residence among us.
It is easy to be distracted from the celebration’s true purpose. Too many of us know the Christmas season can quickly disintegrate into stress, greed, busyness, competition, and emotional overload. We enter again into the season we regard as holy but that too often becomes encumbered with the mundane.
Focus on the Glory, not the Glitz
This year, as we approach the celebration of His coming, I challenge you to focus on the Glory, not the glitz. Keeping our hearts anchored on Jesus, let’s celebrate Him in all our festivities. Let’s let the wonder of His incarnation be the center of our thoughts. The wonder that Jesus so valued each of us He left His throne from which He heard the continual cry of, “Holy, holy, holy,” to take on a man’s frame and hear instead, “Crucify Him!” (Revelation 4:8; Matthew 27: 22–23 NIV).
He who “lives in unapproachable light” (1 Timothy 6:16 NIV) was willing to approach mankind so that frail humanity could see the glory of God. Christ has revealed the invisible God, bright glory filtered through His body of flesh so we would not have to hide our faces from the unapproachable light. Because we could not bear the sight of His glory, He veiled His glory in flesh and brought the beauty of heaven right down into the muck and mess of mankind.
God with us, all for love’s sake
Why would the Beloved become the Despised? Why would heaven’s Darling become the lightning rod for heaven’s wrath? Why would the King become a servant? The Scripture describes it this way: “He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2:7 NIV).
If the King of kings had taken the nature of an earthly king, that would have been a stunning act of condescension. If that were the story, we would be marveling at His unfathomable act of humility.
He did not take the form of an earthly king. He took the form of a servant. Breathtaking. Incomprehensible. Incalculable. The very God of the universe, by whom all things were created and through whom all things hold together, divested Himself of His rights and privileges to move from “God for us” to “God with us.”
All for love’s sake.
What are some ways you can purposefully focus on the Glory of Jesus this Christmas season instead of the glitz of a commercial holiday? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Jennifer Kennedy Dean is Executive director of The Praying Life Foundation and a respected author, Bible teacher, and speaker. She is the author of numerous books, studies, and magazine articles specializing in prayer and spiritual growth. Find out more about Jennifer or purchase her newest book “Pursuing the Christ: Prayers for Christmastime.”
Let’s Focus on the Glory of Christmas, Not the Glitz by Kathy Howard.
November 22, 2018
Black Friday Sale and a Bible Giveaway
Happy Thanksgiving! I am grateful for you! I’ve been waiting for a chance to give away this Bible. It’s an ESV Single Column Journaling Bible like I use in my own daily quiet time. The only difference is this one is not LARGE PRINT like mine! So, when I found out my publisher was having a huge Black Friday sale – 50% off their entire store! – I decided it was a great time for a giveaway here on my blog. (Keep reading to find out how to enter for a chance to win.)
I’ve found this Bible so helpful for my Bible reading and study time. I make study notes and record insights in the margin. The heavier weight paper minimizes bleed-through, so I can also highlight to my heart’s content! (See “Bible Highlighting for More Effective Bible Study” to find out more about my highlighting system.)
Enter for a Chance to Win
New Hope Publishers (which has published 7 of my books) is having a huge 50% Black Friday Sale on lots of books, mine. Since you’ll probably be doing some Christmas shopping anyway, you might as well save some money. And books make great gifts. (New Hope Publisher’s sale runs through Cyber Monday.)
There are three ways to enter the drawing for a chance to win the Bible:
Share this post on social media. Then tell me you shared in the comments below.
Recommend a particular one of my books to your friends on social media with a link to purchase. Then tell me you shared in the comments below.
Buy a book! Then tell me you made a purchase in the comments below. You can enter as many times as you share and purchase.
Just don’t forget to tell me about each time, in separate comments.
I will close the entries at 10pm on Monday, November 26th. The winner will be notified by email.
Book Purchasing Links
New Hope Publishers has many great authors including Jennifer Kennedy Dean and Katie Orr, so be sure and check out all the wonderful books at NewHopePublishers.com.
If you’d like to find out a little more about my books before you make a purchasing decision, see my Books page then click on a cover to read descriptions and samples. Each page also has purchasing links, or you can use the direct links below to my books on New Hope Publishers:
“30 Days of Hope When Caring for Aging Parents”
“Lavish Grace”
“God’s Truth Revealed”
“Before His Throne”
“Embraced by Holiness”
“Fed Up with Flat Faith”
If you purchase one of my books on Amazon, CBD, or even a brick and mortar store, you can still enter to win! Just tell me in the comments below!
November 19, 2018
Thankful Even Now
As Thanksgiving approaches, I’ve been reflecting over the last few months. They’ve been really, really hard. Many of you know my father passed away in late September. After Dad’s death, Mom’s Alzheimer’s worsened significantly. So my brother and I had to make the hard decision to get her a higher level of care than she could get at home.
So here we’ve been – experiencing grief, loss, and tough decisions.
And now, I’m forced to turn to Thanksgiving. Family is coming. There’s a turkey waiting to be fried.
Thankfulness is Bigger than Hardship
Honestly, I’m glad for this time. A reminder to be intentional and purposeful in my gratitude to God. A gentle push to remember that God always deserves my thankfulness, no matter my temporary, physical circumstances.
The prophet Habakkuk knew this truth and expressed it beautifully:
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19, NIV
God deserves my gratitude. Even now. Especially now. The Bible clearly tells us that this temporary life on earth will be filled with death, illness, struggles, and difficulty. Our thankfulness should not and cannot depend on these circumstances. (See: “Is God Still Good When My Circumstances Aren’t?)
But God’s goodness and grace are bigger than these bits of sorrow.
In His grace, God gives me strength and peace in the midst of heartbreak. He carries me through every fire, flood, and valley (Isaiah 43:1-3). And He nudges my heart to remember His greater reality for me. My sins have been forgiven through the blood of Jesus. My eternal future is secure.
Intentional Thanksgiving for God’s Grace
Thankfulness is the right response to God and His grace in our lives. We don’t deserve anything. We don’t deserve forgiveness or salvation. Every good thing in our lives is an act of grace from our loving and merciful heavenly Father, like the sun and rain that bring the harvest. Even strength and endurance in times of difficulty are grace gifts from God. (See “3 Reasons to Thank God Even When We Don’t Feel Blessed.”)
God wants our thanksgiving and commands us to be thankful. He doesn’t need anything from us but He does expect us to respond to who He is and what He does with gratitude (Psalm 50:13-15).
What’s so amazing is that even thankfulness itself is a gift from God. Gratitude shifts our attitude and makes us more aware of God’s activity in our lives. It humbles us and allows us to see just how truly great our God is. Giving thanks to God for His mercy and kindness is a blessing and a privilege!
Will you join me this week in practicing some purposeful thanksgiving? Tell us below something you are thankful for!
