God provides ... more than once

Philippians 4:15-20

What word of instruction do you hear?
You sent me help ... more than once. Why do we forget that? Maybe you don't. I do. Time and again, God has sent me the help I needed just when I needed it most. Money, friends, words of advice, words of caution, words of encouragement, food, answers to prayer, healing.... I probably worry most about money. Always have. Our nation's current economic woes don't help. I worry about the future. I'm afraid that I won't have enough money to do what I need to do. And the thing is... I've always had what I needed.

When I look back at my life, I remember how I have agonized over bills and debts and financial choices. It never added up on paper. It always looked like I was on the verge of ruin. But I have always had what I needed. God has always provided. Not once. But over and over and over and over and over and over, God has always sent help for my needs.

For what would you like to give thanks?
I am fully satisfied. There is nothing I need. God has showered me with all the blessings any human could ever possibly need. I am overwhelmed by the great, great love that I have known in my life. I have a nice home and a loving family, work that inspires and challenges me, friends that inspire and challenge me, and a world of opportunity for change and growth and exploration. I have been greatly blessed.

How have you missed the mark?
Lord, how often I fail to remember and give thanks for all that you have done for me. I worry and fret and stew and plan and ponder and agonize over things, and I completely forget that you are in control.

How is God present to you?
God provides. Sometimes through miraculous means. Sometimes through hard work and perseverance. Sometimes through the gracious generosity of others. But God always provides. And God always will.

Thank you, Lord, for today's reminder that you always provide help for our needs. You know what I need, even before I do, and you always provide for me. You always have. You have never let me down. Even when I doubted you. Even when I rebelled against you. Even when I made poor choices. You never gave up on me. You never turned your back on me. You never stopped loving me. Lord, I thank you for all that you have done for me. Help me never to forget your great love and mercy and provision. May I live with hope and faith and confidence in you because there are so many people who live in constant fear and worry and need. For them, it seems that the promises are not true. They have needs that are not being met. Lord, forgive me for the ways in which I have failed to go to their aid. Clear away each and every obstacle that stands between these, your beloved children, and all the things that they so desperately need. Give me faith to say with confidence, "God will FULLY satisfy EVERY need of yours." In Christ's name I pray, Amen.

Be the message

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 (Message version)

What word of instruction do you hear?
Be the message. What I find fascinating (and humbling) about this text is that the people of Thessalonica were living out their faith in such a dramatic way that people in other towns were telling Paul and Silas and Timothy how amazing the church in Thessalonica had been to Paul and Silas and Timothy. In other words, the missionaries were being told the story they had come to preach!

Now that's a witness. They were walking the talk. They were living what they said they believed. They hadn't just heard the gospel. They WERE the gospel. They embodied faith, love, and hope. And it brought them joy! Joy that prevailed over persecution. It was a way of life that inspired everyone who even heard about them.

For what would you like to give thanks?
For my grandparents, who set an example of hard-working faith, laboring love, patient hope, and prevailing joy.

How have you missed the mark?
Paul often writes about being in constant prayer for those whom he has ministered to/with. It reminds me that I need to pray more often for those who are a part of my ministry.

How is God present to you?
The images of God's hand upon me and the Holy Spirit putting steel in my convictions are resonating with me. I've been feeling tired and uncertain about the future. And, though I still don't know exactly where God is leading or how things will look five minutes from now, much less five years from now, I feel more confident about my ability to lead because I do know that God's hand is upon me, and I believe God has given me a vision for the future.

I am reminded of a chorus that our youth group sang way back in the dark ages when I was a teenager. I don't know who wrote it or if it is copyrighted.

Of my hands I give to you, O Lord.
Of my hands I give to you.
I give to you as you gave to me.
Of my hands I give to you.

Of my heart I give to you, O Lord.
Of my heart I give to you.
I give to you as you gave to me.
Of my heart I give to you.

Of my life I give to you, O Lord.
Of my life I give to you.
I give to you as you gave to me.
Of my life I give to you.
All my life I give to you.