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.

Titles and Attributes

What titles have been given to you in your lifetime? We receive relationship titles like father, mother, son, daughter, etc. We receive job titles like supervisor, director, associate, etc. We may receive other formal or informal titles like good student, counselor, teacher, friend, coworker, etc. We are also often recognized for the attributes that others think that we possess like extrovert, deep thinker, kind, bold, and others. None of these attributes nor titles can compare to those which God possesses, titles and attributes that only He has always possessed.

I Timothy 1:17 says, “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” No man has ever achieved, nor can ever achieve, the honor of these titles and attributes that are only belong to our God. These titles declare that our sovereign God possesses all authority and power both now and forevermore.