Dark Clouds

It is quite a sight to see dark clouds on the horizon, knowing that they are bringing unpleasant weather your way. The dark clouds of struggles and circumstances can also bring a sense of forboding into our hearts. We can become so caught up on these dark clouds that our mindset and emotions also become dark. It is tough to find light amidst these dark clouds.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 says, “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the field and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” The prophet, Habakkuk, is imagining every thing that could go wrong for his people who depend upon farming. And Habakkuk says that in the middle of this disaster He will still rejoice in the Lord and take joy in His salvation. In the midst of our troubles, we also can find joy in the Lord and in His salvation. Knowing He is with us and is faithful to all His promises can give us the joy that we seek.

“Where Are The Nine?”

In Luke 17, the story of ten lepers is recorded. The ten lepers were standing at a distance from Jesus as He was passing through a village. They lifted their voices asking Jesus to have mercy on them. Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priests, a requirement of the Jewish law. On they way to the priests, they all discover that they were cleansed from leprosy. One of them turned and came back to Jesus, praising God. This former leper worshipped Jesus and thanked Him for healing him. That is when Jesus asked, “Where are the nine?” Jesus noticed that the other nine lepers did not return to thank Him, despite their healing.

Romans 1:21 says, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Failing to thank God for His blessings is failure to give Him the honor and praise He deserves. When we fail to be thankful, we are elevating ourselves, thinking that we didn’t need Him. God takes note of us when we are thankful and He notices when we are thankless. Thanklessness leads to futility and foolishness.

Activity and Restlessness

With the arrival of Thanksgiving and Black Friday, we official enter the holiday season. While the word “holiday” conjures up thoughts of rest and relaxation, the holiday season does anything but provide rest. Shopping provides the opportunity to endure elbow shots to our ribs, along with angry stares and words from frustrated fellow shoppers. Parties are chaotic as people seek the attention of so many other people, all at the same time and in competion with others. Most of this is not what Jesus was seeking to give to His people, when He came into the world.

Psalm 32:18 says, “My people will abide in peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” We don’t have to struggle to win acceptance from God. Instead, He makes us secure in His love and presence. Though everyone around us may be working hard to find love, we can rest in the knowledge of God’s love for us.

Surpassing Knowledge

When we learn something new, most of the time, that new knowledge gives us benefits beyond the information that is learned. Opportunities will come our way that before were unknown to us. We will be able to use this new information in ways that benefit ourselves and others.

Paul gave this prayer for the Ephesian church; “and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.”(Ephesians 3:19) It is true that to know the love of Christ surpasses all other knowledge. Knowing Christ’s love is of infinite value and leads us in the fulness of God.

The Power of Thanksgiving

Have you ever thought about the truth that giving thanks does so much good for us and for others? For one thing, it is impossible to be discouraged while giving thanks for the blessings that we have received. When we receive a gift, it makes us feel good to give thanks and acknowledges the giver for the good that was done in the giving. Our focus is no longer on our problems, but rather on the good that we received.

Psalm 69:30-32 says, “I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. When the humble see it they will be glad; you will seek God, let your hearts revive.” Giving thanks to God does many good things. It keeps us from discouragement for it is impossible to be discouraged while also remembering the blessings that we have received. Thanksgiving praises God for who He is and what He does for us. God is pleased with our thanksgivings. And thanksgiving encourages others as they also remember the blessings God has given.