Psalms 27:1-9

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.”

Psalms 27:1-9

"One thing I have desired of the Lord..."  Is that our desire today -- to dwell in the house of the Lord like Mary did; sitting at the Master's feet, soaking in the very words of life?

In Memory...

http://inmemoryofisaac.com/

Please Pray...

...for the Coates family.  More details can be found at Richard's blog or Motz' blog.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Give thanks.

Recently is has struck me again how much I have to be thankful for. Literally everything that I have is better than billions of others have it. I have a Christian home, freedom to live my Christian life out without fearing that today may be the last day that I ever see my family. I have a warm house in the winter, a cool one in the summer, a job, a car, a beautiful sister (and a wonderful brother-in-law)... Really what more could I ask for? And yet, am I really thankful?

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” Luke 17:15-19

Am I not like the other nine lepers so many times? I have all these gifts that God has given me, and yet I am so unthankful in my spirit. I look around me at the literal thousands of people that I see on a daily basis, and they all live broken, empty lives. Divorce, rebellion, bad choices, drugs, alcohol... The list continues as the pain of these people's lives increase. Where, then is my desire and action to go out and serve these people? Tell them of a Savior that died for their sins... Why are we not speaking up daily of the Love of Christ that brought us up and out of the same miry pit? "They won't listen," we say. No, they may not, but aren't you glad that someone spoke a kind word to you? Would not our Lord stop and speak some comfort to their troubled hearts? Are we truly showing Christ in a real way how much His sacrifice means to us, when we are too busy to minister to one of his potential children? Do we somehow think that we are better, and deserve the things that we have been given. Sometimes we sure live like that...

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 Let us apply that same principle to thanksgiving, and see if we can fulfill the will of our Lord in a better way.