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Category: devotional

  • Give Thanks – Pray without ceasing

    Give Thanks – Pray without ceasing

    The busy little gray squirrel was happily munching on some  sunflower seeds someone had left. The trail is clearly marked with don’t feel the birds’ signs, but there are always plenty of seeds left around for the squirrels and birds.

    This little fellow looked to me as if he were offering a prayer of thanksgiving. He had his eyes closed right up until I snapped the shot.

    He got me thinking about the custom of saying “grace” or giving thanks before a meal. Why do we call it grace, and does the Bible tell us to do it?

    I couldn’t find a definitive answer to why it is called a grace. From early church days, a short prayer of thanks acknowledging God’s grace and provision was called a “grace,” so perhaps that’s where it comes from.

    The Bible doesn’t explicitly tell us to offer a blessing before a meal, though it does call us, in general terms, to be thankful. 


    Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you I Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

    We do see the practice modeled in Scripture.

    Jesus gave thanks after the miracles of the loaves and fishes (Matthew 14:19-21; 15:34-36). At the Last Supper, He called his followers to give thanks (Luke 24:30).

    When lost at sea, Paul offered thanks for the food.

    As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.”And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all, he broke it and began to eat. Acts 27:33-35 ESV

    When we give thanks for our food, we acknowledge that all things come from Him.

    Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20 ESV

    For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:36 ESV

    Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11 ESV

    Offering a prayer of grace or thanksgiving is not a requirement given by God, but a simple acknowledgement of gratitude for His provision.

    May we learn to practice gratitude.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

    Some Reading Suggestions

    The boardwalk – what others think of Jesus. Is He the only way

    Is it right belief or right living?

    The gospel – the best news ever

    The Seven Sayings of Christ on the Cross

  • Old and New – The Old Will Pass Away

    Old and New – The Old Will Pass Away

    This morning’s image showcases a small section of a massive  sandstone cliff in Point Roberts, Washington. Point Roberts is a pene-exclave of the USA, meaning it is American soil, but you have to go through Canada to access it by land. It has some small but beautiful ocean-side parks.

    These sandstone cliffs have stood seemingly forever, yet they are slowly vanishing. If you look at the center of the pic, you can see a groove running downwards. The sand is almost constantly in motion, trickling back down to the sea as it slowly erodes away.

    The sound is like a soft, gentle rain. It will take innumerable human lifetimes for the cliffs to be gone, but in the fullness of time, they will stand no more.

    Even the most permanent-seeming of things in the created universe have an expiry date. The sun itself will eventually burn out if God hasn’t come back by then.

    The little blue planet, third from the sun, that we call Earth will pass away.

    Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Matthew 24:35 ESV

    For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. Isaiah 66:17 ESV

    But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 2 Peter 3:10 ESV

    And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.” Hebrews 1:10-12 ESV

    The final end to the existing physical order is not something we need to fear. The same God who created it all with a word, who stands outside the physical realm, remains, and He promises His faithful a new home.

    Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:1-6 ESV

    As we await that day, we steward the physical realm to the best of our abilities, all the while recognizing that God created it for our use.

    The seas may dry up, the climate might change, the magnetic poles might swap end over end, and the mountains fall into the sea. Yet, we can hold fast because the God we worship remains the same, regardless of our earthly situation.

    God is in control and totally dependable. Praise His name.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin