Category: devotional

  • 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

  • Wedding Supper

    The marriage supper of the lamb

    I remember a morning over at the lake where a wedding party was having its photographs taken. There is a perfect spot near the narrows on the lake, with a fountain, a wooden bridge, and a set of steps down to the water, ideal for group shots.

    The bride was lovely in a full white gown. The groom and his party wore traditional black tuxedos. It was obviously an important day for them, and they didn’t seem to have spared any expense.

    There’s something about brides; they always seem beautiful to me. I think it’s the romantic ideal of the virginal bride (even when you know they’re not), making a commitment for life (even though it often isn’t) to the man she loves. 

    I’m old-fashioned. I know that it can’t always work out the way it should, but I believe that marriage is designed to be until death do us part.

    Our relationship with Christ is better than the most ideal of marriages. His blood washes away all our sin. He sees us like I see brides, pure and beautiful even when they’re not.

    Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27

    He has made us His pure and spotless bride, despite all of our flaws.

    Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— For the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:7-9  

    Made fresh and new, forgiven, loved forever. That’s something to celebrate. This marriage goes long past “until death do us part.”

    I prayed that couple I saw have a lifetime of wonderful times together.

    Whether you marry or not on this earth, whether you have good marriages or not, we can rejoice in knowing that, as good as earthly marriage was designed to be, you and I have something even better, forever, through Christ.

    Until next time, celebrate your marriage to the King of Kings.

    Kevin

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