Saying Grace

Not too long ago, I was thinking about why we pray before a meal. Is it just a tradition? I'm very thankful for the food I get to eat, but I'm also very thankful for everything else God daily provides for me. So why give thanks before we eat? What is it really about?

Reading and thinking on 1 Timothy 4:3-5 gave new meaning and great joy to me in praying before a meal.

Let's back up a bit and get a context for why Paul is writing these verses in the first place.
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods...
1 Timothy 4:1-3a

Ok, that's interesting. It's obviously serious, too. And?

...and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. vs. 3-5

The first mention of food in the Bible is way back in the beginning, when God created the world and everything in it. Then God said (to Adam),"I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. Genesis 1:29

Later God told Moses, "Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. Genesis 9:3

These verses show that food is a gift from God. He gave it to us... way back then... and always now. And it's a good gift! Mmmmm... I like this gift.

God created food to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. Sometimes I'm so hungry and excited to eat. This was the case last Saturday night. When dinner was served, I certainly ate that delicious meal with joy and thanksgiving!

"Thank You for this food," we say as we pray. That's a good thing to do. We read that Jesus also gave thanks for food.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Luke 24:30

In Timothy 4:5 Paul writes that food is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. God has declared food as good and even "sacred." Further, it's consecrated by prayer - by the words we say.

God gives us the good gift of food. We get to receive it with thanksgiving. We also have the amazing privilege to consecrate - bless - our food; to agree with God in what he says about food. It's not a trite exercise or meaningless tradition to say grace. We are participating in God's gift and plan for us.

The Land of the Living

Broken and crushed..

Darkness...

Sadness...

Hopelessness...

Hunger...

Thirst...

Pain...

Sorrow...

Unbearable grief...

Loss...

Orphaned...

Survival...

These are things that the people of Haiti are dealing with as they struggle to survive. As I continue to hear stories of how people are being pulled from the rubble after 15 days of darkness and little hope of being rescued... I get excited when I hear of someone beating the odds of not making it.

What would be going through our minds if we were trapped 15 days. Do you think by the 15th day, we would hope to have our affairs settled with God. What if you didn't know God? These people who survived were given one more chance to know Him if they didn't already.

As I looked over the list above, we have all experienced or felt some of the calamities life has handed down to us. We might not have been trapped under the rubble of cement and stone, but we have been trapped by the lies of Satan. The people of Haiti will have to fight hard against the lies of Satan, just as we do. He tries to convince us that we are not worthy of God's love, or that God doesn't really care about us. But God has given us a foundation of truth to stand on. He is Truth. He is Pure, and He is Holy. It is the foundation we live by. Without it, there is chaos, evil and no hope. Living without Truth sets us up for destruction.

We have to act on that truth... we have to believe. God has so many promises in His Word that assures us of who He is and His love for us. Along with believing Him, we have to trust Him. Often when things do not go as we had planned or hoped for, we have to trust that He knows what is best for us. There will always be suffering and all types of calamity in this world... but those of us who remain must keep looking to God. He is our refuge... He is our strength.

"I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Psalm 91:2

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62: 5-8

"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in You my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed." Psalm 57: 1

I cry to You, O Lord; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." Psalm 142:5

Know Who You Are

My husband has told me more than once that he is most captivated by me when I know who I am.

As romantic as it sounds...the first time he voiced those words to me...they were not spoken in a moment of passion or sweet nothings. They were spoken in truth...when I had forgotten, who I was.

The Lord has been reminding me day in and day out that He is my Father, and I am His daughter. Who He is and all that He is, by His Spirit lives and breathes inside of me.

My entire identity rests in that fact.

Sister....I am convinced that if we lived everyday according to who we are in Christ, not only would our own lives be transformed but the world itself would be turned upside down.

Do not listen to the lies of the evil one and forget who you are.

A slave to sin, waiting hopelessly for death...you were bought at the highest price Love could pay. Freedom, Peace and Joy were set before you. You are now a child of the King. All that He is and all that He has He offers to you freely. He denies you nothing of Himself including His own Spirit. Created by Him, He knows everything about you and loves you like no other. His Word is testimony to you of who He is and He invites you to know Him through His truth and by His Spirit. He is your light in the darkness. He is your Power, your Strength, your Might. He is the provision of your needs. He listens when you need to be heard. He holds your heart when no one else understands. He is your loving Father. He is your King. I could write for days and never encompass all that He is.

1 John 3:1

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

Isaiah 43:1-2

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you....he who formed you...."Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour."

2 Peter 1:3-4

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

1 John 4:13-15

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

You are beautiful and you are precious. Dress yourself everyday in the truths of who you are in Christ. You are His daughter. Don't you forget it.

A Little Help, Please.

Not sure how to pray? Need a little help? Doesn't matter what the circumstances may be that cause you to pour out your heart to God. Could be something heavy and out of your control or could be love and gratitude that your words are insufficient to express. Listen to this:

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:26-29

Oh, how I rely on this truth!

Holy Spirit, pray according to the will of God for us and the things concerning us today. Thank you, first of all for calling us to be conformed to the image of your Son. Thank that your working in our lives accomplishes this purpose.

Do your work in these circumstances. Do your work in me. Do what only you can do in these people. I want what you want, because I know you are good and your will is pleasing.

Holy Spirit, search my heart, your dwelling place, and express what my words cannot.

Express joy and gladness to God for his amazing love and goodness to me.

Express longing for deliverance from the flesh.

Express the desires of my heart for my family, my friends, my church.

Express the passion that I tend to conceal.

Express in your words to God my utmost need and desire for him to do his good work.


How good of God to give us the help he knew we would need! He is worthy of all our praise.

The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13: 1-8, 18-23)

"That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear."

"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

Which seed do you relate to?

Rich in Good Deeds

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24

Have you been inspired lately by people doing good deeds? We hear a lot of stories right now of people responding to the tragic plight of people suffering the results of the earthquake in Haiti. We ask ourselves, "What can I do? What should I do... to live beyond myself... for the good of others?"

I've also been inspired by a young mom who's expecting her third and yet finds the time and energy to bring meals and baking to others. I'm inspired by older women who regularly go to visit the elderly in care facilities. I'm inspired by people who see beyond the task of what they are engaged in at home or work, and notice and respond to someone needing help, a loving touch, or a friendly smile. Life in the ordinary is full of opportunities to do good.

Do what is right and good in the Lord's sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land that the Lord promised on oath to your forefathers. Deuteronomy 6:18

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Psalm 37:3

I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. Ecclesiastes 3:12

I found all these verses (and more) when I typed in the words "do good" and then "good deeds" in the word search at http://www.blueletterbible.org
Ask the Holy Spirit - through God's Word - to inspire you to do good as you read these verses.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 2 Tim 2:21

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good. Titus 3:1

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16

Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. James 4:17

So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 2 Peter 4:19

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 2 Peter 2:12

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:18

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13

Father, show me what you have for me to do...for Your glory and the benefit of those around me. You, our Gracious God, work on our behalf. We thank you for life - and fullness of life - because of the good You have worked for our benefit. May we join you in doing good each day of our lives. May we not ignore the small and ordinary good deeds in vain hopes of doing something "big" for You. Inspire us to enter into the joy of serving others in love.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14

(When I look at the picture above of the young girl with the "older girl", I'm not just seeing the "young" looking after the "old". I'm also seeing the "old" taking opportunities to bless the "young" with their presence... entering into a young person's world, and sharing life and love together. How we need each other!)

Our desperate need..

Usually, in January, I tend to reflect on the year before and the challenges, goals, and unexpected surprises that came my way. I cannot do that without looking back at what God used in my life to draw me closer to Him. Several events occurred over the year that caused me to totally rely and focus on the Lord. When I think back, I am amazed at the intensity in my relationship with Him during those times. What happened during the in-between times when I wasn't begging or pleading for a life to be spared, or a life to be born, or another crisis of some sort?

We all face those times of desperate need in our relationship with the Lord and yet, the normal everyday experience with God is a nurturing process. We sit at His Feet and He prepares us for the days ahead. He knows when we are going to need Him during those hours of intensity just as He knows how much we need to grow in our relationship with Him to face those days. We are often shocked when we hear of the perils of our time; the earthquakes, the tsunamis, and the devastating storms that bring homelessness and wreckage. We can google that down to each individual living on this earth. We are all in desperate need. We need a Savior to heal our broken relationships, the pain we carry, our saddened hearts, discouragement, lost jobs, financial difficulties, depression and some times the will to go on. Some of us need a new beginning.

As we sit at the feet of Jesus, may we trust everything that is weighing heavily on our hearts to Him.

"This is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything." 1 John 3:19-20

"This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:9-10