If it is Good, It is From the Lord

"I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me."

 Psalm 13:6

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Thanksgiving has arrived, for most, bringing great memories of roast turkey, pumpkin pie and all the rest from this special day in years past. With the traditional fire in the fireplace, and holiday songs playing via Pandora, it can all seem so picturesque for so many. In fact, we even had flurries this afternoon!

This year, this season of gratitude, for me, translates into one of remembering amazing and abundant blessings and awe provided by God to my family and friends and me, and the world, through the unparalled generosity of God.

For beyond the rekindling of warm relationships, and festive spreads, I know with all my heart this Thanksgiving that God has provided every good thing for you and for me and our loved ones. 

 

If it is good, peace-filled, and life-giving, you can trust with confidence that it is from the Lord.

All that I am, all that I have, all that I am able to do belongs to the Lord! Hallelujah! In this way, even  my contracturing, withering hands, my intermittently blurred vision, and being on a bipap respirator 14+ hours per day cannot detour the privilege to sing Jesus' praises in print. For it is all blessing~ nothing short of a blessed gift from above! 

 

My heart leaps with joy at the very thought of all that Jesus has done for me and my loved ones, and all He is doing in my life. And I am at peace, with the sublime joy of gratitude, this cold, wintery night, this Thanksgiving Eve...

Adele M. Gill  2013  Copyright

Embracing Your Religious Freedom

"It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known...²¹ Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see and those who have not heard will understand.'" Romans 15:20-21

Some things are meant to keep to oneself, while others in this life are meant to be be shared, and faith is one of them. For what good is it to keep the kindness and mercy of God to yourself--even(and especially) for the sake of political correctness? 

Presently, we live in a country where it's still OK to share your Christian (or other) faith openly. There is nothing stopping us from attending Church weekly (even daily for some), Bible reading, and sharing the Bible messages, the Gospels with others. Yet, do we take our eroding freedom of religion for granted in the US? 

In the US and around the world, we are undergoing great change in the area of Constitutional Rights, particularly Religious Freedoms for Christians. It has been observed that Christian rights are becoming passe, facing extinction. Merry Christmas has been publicly  'outlawed' in exchange for 'Happy Holidays.' In God we trust has been removed by our president this week in the Gettysburg Address. Public venues that included the 10 Commandments are being removed. And the list goes on and on. The president is even considering removing 'In God we trust' from our currency. The list goes on...

Christianity is meant to be shared.  The big question here is a personal one:  
What will you doing today to exercise your religious freedom and on a daily basis while we still have religious freedom in this country?
  
If you will, take a quick minute to develop your own faith plan. Will you read the Bible with regularity or a daily devotional? Will you invite a neighbor or friend to Church with you on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or on upcoming Sundays? Will you share this devotional blog or write one of your own to get the word out about Christianity? Reach out to others in need?

Each day is a new opportunity to sing the praises of God. Let today be a new beginning as you grow in appreciation for and savor the privilege of your own religious freedom!

“Those who were not told about him will see and those who have not heard will understand."

                                                                     Adele M. Gill   2013   Copyright

"Israel: I Have Chosen You"

Have you ever wondered why Israel is so important? Well, one of the greatest Bible promises of all times involves 'little' Israel. As unprecedented global turbulence escalates, and intense Judeo-Christian persecution rises around the world with Iran threatening to destroy Israel with nuclear arms, today's Scripture is proof that Israel is truly precious in the eyes of God. For "those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all." ...

 Isaiah 41:8-14

“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend,
⁹ I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.¹⁰  So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ¹¹ “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.
 

¹² Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them.Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. ¹³ For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. ¹⁴ Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear,
for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel."  

Forging Ahead

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret 

of being content in any and every situation..."   

Philippians  4:10-12

In the course of daily life, we all occasionally find ourselves in challenging circumstances that present us with blessed growth opportunities. Whenever we are inconvenienced by health issues, when relationships become difficult, or when work worries prevail, it is often easy to succomb to negativity, depression, and, even despair. Yet in today's Scripture, Paul tells us he has 'learned to be content, whatever the circumstances.' So how can that possibly be???

I suspect that the Apostle Paul came to understand that contentment is a choice. It is a willful decision to forge ahead, despite being presented with unsavory, unyielding, even uncomfortable circumstances. Yet believing Christians know well, 'this, too shall pass...'

For me, contentment predictably comes when I am able to get my focus off of my self, my own situation, issues and pain, my own lacking, and squarely focus on Jesus Christ. The Great Healer, Blessed Comforter. Supreme Protector. Unconditional Lover of your soul and mine. 

For when you put aside every distraction that comes your way, and discontent is truly a distraction, and consciously focus on the majesty of Jesus, everything else pales in comparison to His saving power. Ask Him for whatever you need, and He will change your lot in His own special time and way!

Personally, I see my life as a series of miracles--A miracle in progress. Jesus has brought me up from the pit of childhood trauma, poverty, long-term infirmity and disability, and the travesty of despair. He has blessed me with all that I have, and provided for all that I need. He has surrounded me with great family and friends--people of great integrity and faith-- for companionship along this journey; and the result is strong faith in Him, contentment, compassion for others, and a grateful heart, which surely are as healing aloe for every situation in this waiting room we call life. / amg

Adele M. Gill  2013  Copyright